CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 9,016,321		$ 9,274,662		$ 9,715,747
Cost of sales	7,161,734		7,179,403		7,618,313
Gross profit	1,854,587		2,095,259		2,097,434
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling and distribution	1,337,745		1,419,531		1,456,021
General and administrative	310,453		412,957		473,802
Amortization of intangibles	3,669		3,758		4,997
Facility closing and reorganization costs	27,008		55,787		45,688
Litigation settlements	(1,019)				131,300
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	43,441				2,075,836
Other operating (income) loss	2,494		(57,459)		(13,785)
Total operating costs and expenses	1,723,791		1,834,574		4,173,859
Operating income (loss)	130,796		260,685		(2,076,425)
Other (income) expense:
Interest expense	200,558		150,589		177,449
Loss on early retirement of long-term debt	63,387
Gain on disposition of WhiteWave common stock	(415,783)
Other income, net	(400)		(1,664)		(2,037)
Total other (income) expense	(152,238)		148,925		175,412
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	283,034		111,760		(2,251,837)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(42,325)	[1]	87,945	[2]	(523,555)	[3]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	325,359		23,815		(1,728,282)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,803		139,279		132,495
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	491,195		(2,053)		3,616
Net income (loss)	819,357		161,041		(1,592,171)
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest in discontinued operations	(6,179)		(2,419)		16,550
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 813,178		$ 158,622		$ (1,575,621)
Average common shares:
Basic	93,785,611	[4]	92,375,378	[4]	91,694,110	[4]
Diluted	94,796,236	[4]	93,065,912	[4]	91,694,110	[4]
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 3.47	[4]	$ 0.26	[4]	$ (18.85)	[4]
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 5.20	[4]	$ 1.46	[4]	$ 1.67	[4]
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 8.67	[4]	$ 1.72	[4]	$ (17.18)	[4]
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 3.43	[4]	$ 0.26	[4]	$ (18.85)	[4]
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 5.15	[4]	$ 1.44	[4]	$ 1.67	[4]
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 8.58	[4]	$ 1.70	[4]	$ (17.18)	[4]

[1] Excludes $431.0 million in income tax expense related to discontinued operations.

[2] Excludes $80.4 million in income tax expense related to discontinued operations.

[3] Excludes $67.2 million in income tax expense related to discontinued operations.

[4] 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.