Quarterly Results of Operations - Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,295,450		$ 2,200,899		$ 2,227,542		$ 2,292,430		$ 2,455,130		$ 2,236,969		$ 2,234,841		$ 2,347,722		$ 9,016,321		$ 9,274,662		$ 9,715,747
Gross profit	445,770		441,285		472,300		495,232		515,803		508,410		539,902		531,144		1,854,587		2,095,259		2,097,434
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(37,362)		415,518		(32,057)		(20,740)		7,762		(2,192)		19,603		(1,358)		325,359		23,815		(1,728,282)
Net income (loss)	(37,677)	[1],[2]	415,120	[1],[2]	(53,883)	[1],[2]	495,797	[1],[2]	30,552	[1],[3]	36,441	[1],[3]	56,165	[1],[3]	37,883	[1],[3]	819,357		161,041		(1,592,171)
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ (37,677)	[1]	$ 415,120	[1]	$ (56,870)	[1]	$ 492,605	[1]	$ 28,133	[1]	$ 36,441	[1]	$ 56,165	[1]	$ 37,883	[1]	$ 813,178		$ 158,622		$ (1,575,621)
Basic	$ (0.40)	[4],[5]	$ 4.41	[4],[5]	$ (0.34)	[4],[5]	$ (0.22)	[4],[5]	$ 0.08	[4],[5]	$ (0.02)	[4],[5]	$ 0.21	[4],[5]	$ (0.01)	[4],[5]	$ 8.67	[6]	$ 1.72	[6]	$ (17.18)	[6]
Diluted	$ (0.40)	[4],[5]	$ 4.36	[4],[5]	$ (0.34)	[4],[5]	$ (0.22)	[4],[5]	$ 0.08	[4],[5]	$ (0.02)	[4],[5]	$ 0.21	[4],[5]	$ (0.01)	[4],[5]	$ 8.58	[6]	$ 1.70	[6]	$ (17.18)	[6]

[1] The results for the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2013 include facility closing and reorganization costs, net of tax, of $3.6 million, $3.2 million, $4.7 million and $5.9 million, respectively. See Note 17.

[2] Results for 2013 include a gain of $415.8 million related to the disposition of our remaining investment in WhiteWave common stock, a charge of $22.9 million, net of tax, related to impairments of property, plant & equipment (Note 17), a charge of $5.1 million, net of tax, related to impairments of intangible assets (Note 7), and a loss of $38.7 million, net of tax, related to the early retirement of a portion of our senior notes due 2018 and senior notes due 2016 (Note 10).

[3] Results for 2012 include a net after-tax loss of $10.4 million related to the July 3, 2012 sale of our investment in CCC. See Note 4.

[4] Earnings (loss) per common share calculations for each of the quarters were based on the basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding for each quarter. The sum of the quarters may not necessarily be equal to the full year earnings (loss) per common share amount.

[5] Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the first and second quarters of 2013 and for each of the quarters in the year ended December 31, 2012 have been adjusted retroactively to reflect a 1-for-2 reverse stock split effected August 26, 2013.

[6] Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share and average basic and diluted shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 have been adjusted retroactively to reflect a 1-for-2 reverse stock split effected August 26, 2013.