CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)		$ (26,648)	$ 1,382	$ (67,007)	$ 9,270
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Pension and other postretirement liability adjustment, net of tax		1,363	1,627	4,589	4,903
Other comprehensive income		1,363	1,627	4,589	4,903
Reclassification of stranded tax effects related to the Tax Act	[1]	0	0	(16,847)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)		(25,285)	3,009	(79,265)	14,173
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest		224	0	224	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company		$ (25,061)	$ 3,009	$ (79,041)	$ 14,173

[1] Refer to Note 1 - Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements within our Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2018-02 during the first quarter of 2018.