Employee Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans - Information Regarding Contribution in Multiemployer Pension Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	$ 29,045	$ 27,181	$ 29,231
Dean Foods Company
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	29,000	27,200	29,200
Dean Foods Company | Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	14,100	14,000	13,200
Dean Foods Company | Central States Southeast And Southwest Areas Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	9,200	9,500	9,500
Dean Foods Company | Retail Wholesale Department Store International Union And Industry Pension Fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	1,500	1,300	1,300
Dean Foods Company | Dairy Industry Union Pension Plan For Philadelphia Vicinity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	2,200	2,100	2,100
Dean Foods Company | All Other Multiemployer Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	$ 2,000	$ 300	$ 3,100