Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Deficit (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 1,823	$ 1,061,253	$ 583,102	$ (146,653)	$ 14,543	$ 1,514,068
Balance, in shares at Dec. 31, 2010	182,255,334
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation	9	(6,887)				(6,878)
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation, in shares	930,032
Share-based compensation expense		8,392				8,392
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest					2,913	2,913
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest					(1,881)	(1,881)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company			25,263			25,263
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax (benefit)				1,581		1,581
Amounts reclassified to income statement related to hedging activities, net of tax				10,519		10,519
Cumulative translation adjustment				27,418		27,418
Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustment, net of tax				1,541		1,541
Balance at Mar. 31, 2011	1,832	1,062,758	608,365	(105,594)	15,575	1,582,936
Balance, in shares at Mar. 31, 2011	183,185,366
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,837	1,086,804	(992,519)	(199,520)	4,747	(98,651)
Balance, in shares at Dec. 31, 2011	183,745,789					183,745,789
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation	8	(8,603)				(8,595)
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation, in shares	753,895
Share-based compensation expense		1,630				1,630
Wind-down of joint venture					(4,747)	(4,747)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company			37,883			37,883
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax (benefit)				(4,363)		(4,363)
Amounts reclassified to income statement related to hedging activities, net of tax				9,089		9,089
Cumulative translation adjustment				13,303		13,303
Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustment, net of tax				1,719		1,719
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 1,845	$ 1,079,831	$ (954,636)	$ (179,772)		$ (52,732)
Balance, in shares at Mar. 31, 2012	184,499,684					184,499,684