Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 13,055,493		$ 12,122,887		$ 11,113,782
Cost of sales	10,037,907		9,116,965		8,008,561
Gross profit	3,017,586		3,005,922		3,105,221
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling and distribution	1,963,748		1,904,526		1,818,833
General and administrative	608,868		629,656		623,835
Amortization of intangibles	10,539		11,295		9,637
Facility closing and reorganization costs	45,688		30,761		30,162
Litigation settlements	131,300		30,000
Goodwill impairment	2,075,836		0		0
Other operating income	(16,831)
Total operating costs and expenses	4,819,148		2,606,238		2,482,467
Operating income (loss)	(1,801,562)		399,684		622,754
Other (income) expense:
Interest expense	252,951		248,301		246,510
Other (income) expense, net	(1,915)		161		(4,221)
Total other expense	251,036		248,462		242,289
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(2,052,598)		151,222		380,465
Income tax expense (benefit)	(456,811)	[1]	73,482	[2]	151,845	[3]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(1,595,787)		77,740		228,620
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	3,616		7,521		89
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax			(2,505)		(862)
Net income (loss)	(1,592,171)		82,756		227,847
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	16,550		8,735		12,461
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ (1,575,621)		$ 91,491		$ 240,308
Average common shares:
Basic	183,388,220		181,799,306		170,986,886
Diluted	183,388,220		182,861,802		173,858,303
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ (8.61)		$ 0.48		$ 1.41
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 0.02		$ 0.02
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ (8.59)		$ 0.50		$ 1.41
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ (8.61)		$ 0.47		$ 1.39
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 0.02		$ 0.03		$ (0.01)
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ (8.59)		$ 0.50		$ 1.38

[1] Excludes $0.5 million in income tax expense related to discontinued operations.

[2] Excludes $8.7 million in income tax benefit related to discontinued operations.

[3] Excludes $0.3 million in income tax benefit related to discontinued operations.