Document and Entity Information Abstract Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Public Float Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Receivables Net Current Receivables, net Receivables, Net, Current, Total Receivables, net of allowance of $10891 and $15,347 Income tax receivable Inventory Net Inventories Total Inventories Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Deferred income taxes Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current, Total Other current assets Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation Machinery and equipment related to joint venture Assets held for sale Assets held for sale Total current assets Current assets Total current assets Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, plant and equipment Total Property, plant and equipment, joint venture assets Goodwill Balance, ending Balance, beginning Goodwill Goodwill, Total Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges and other noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Intangible Assets and Other Assets Noncurrent Identifiable intangible and other assets, net Identifiable intangible and other assets, net total Assets Total Assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Total Total Accounts payable and accrued expenses Debt, Current Current portion of debt Debt, Current, Total Current portion of debt Liabilities of asset groups held for sale Intercompany note payable Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current, Total Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale Estimated Litigation Liability, Current Current portion of litigation settlements Litigation settlements, current Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Long Term Debt Noncurrent Total long-term portion Total long-term portion Long-term debt Deferred income taxes, noncurrent Deferred income taxes Other long-term liabilities Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Estimated Litigation Liability, Noncurrent Long-term litigation settlements Commitments and contingencies (Note 18) Stockholder's equity: Dean Foods Company stockholder's equity: Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity (deficit): Preferred stock, none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock 182,255,334 and 180,854,163 shares issued and outstanding, with a par value of $0.01 per share Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common stock 183,745,789 and 182,255,334 shares issued and outstanding, with a par value of $0.01 per share Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional paid-in capital Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Total accumulated other comprehensive loss Total Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Total equity (deficit) Total Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity (deficit) Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity (deficit) Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Non-controlling interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Non-controlling Interest Total stockholders' equity Balance Balance Total stockholders' equity (deficit) Totals Total Total Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Receivables, allowance Preferred stock, issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Issuance of common stock (in shares) Common stock, shares outstanding Balance, in shares Balance, in shares Common stock, par value Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Net sales Sales Revenue, Net, Total Net sales to external customers Cost of sales Cost of Revenue, Total Gross profit Gross profit Operating costs and expenses: Selling and distribution Selling and distribution Selling and distribution General and administrative General and Administrative Expense, Total Amortization of intangibles Amortization of intangibles Amortization on intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total Facility closing and reorganization costs, net of tax Facility closing and reorganization costs Total Total Facility closing and reorganization costs Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement Litigation settlements Antitrust complaint settlement Antitrust complaint settlement Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement, Total Litigation settlements Non-cash impairment charge Goodwill impairment Goodwill impairment Goodwill impairment Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Other operating income Other operating income Other operating income Operating Expenses Total operating costs and expenses Charges recorded Operating income Operating income (loss) Operating income (loss) Other (income) expense: Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Other (income) expense, net Other (income) expense, net Other (income) expense, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Other income, net Total other expense Total other expense Total Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income tax expenses (benefits) Income tax expense (benefit) Income tax expense (benefit) Total, Amount Income tax expense (benefit) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from continuing operations Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax Gain on sale of discontinued operations Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Total Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Loss from discontinued operations (Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Net income (loss) Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company Average common shares: Basic Average common shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Diluted Average common shares - diluted Average common shares - diluted Average common shares - diluted Basic earnings per common share: Basic earnings (loss) per common share: Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Outstanding Share, Total Income from discontinued operations attributable to Dean Foods Company Earnings Per Share, Basic Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company Basic Diluted earnings per common share: Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share, Total Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Dean Foods Company Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company Diluted Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Non-Controlling Interest [Member] Comprehensive Income [Member] Comprehensive Income [Member] Stock Issued During Period Net Of Tax Impact Of Share Based Compensation Value Stock Issued During Period Net Of Tax Impact Of Share Based Compensation Value Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation Stock Issued During Period Net Of Tax Impact Of Share Based Compensation. Stock Issued During Period Net Of Tax Impact Of Share Based Compensation Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation, in shares Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Total Share-based compensation expense Value of stock issued during the period by an entity in a public offering. Stock Issued During Period Value Public Offering Public offering of equity securities Proceeds from public offering Stock issued during period shares public offering Stock Issued During Period Shares Public Offering Public offering of equity securities, in shares Stock issued in public offering Non controlling interest added through acquisition Noncontrolling Interest Added Through Acquisition Fair value of non-controlling interest acquired Contributions from noncontrolling interests. Contributions from noncontrolling interests Capital contribution from non-controlling interest Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 13) Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax benefit Fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax benefit Amounts reclassified to income statement related to hedging activities, net of tax of $28,649 in 2010 and $30,578 in 2009 Amounts reclassified to statement of operations related to hedging activities, net of tax Amounts reclassified to income statement related to hedging activities, net of tax of $28,649 in 2010 and $30,578 in 2009 Cumulative translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Pension liability adjustment, tax and tax benefit Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit Pension and other postretirement liability adjustment, net of tax Transition obligation prior service costs and actuarial losses, net of tax Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company Change in fair value of derivative instruments, tax benefit Amounts reclassified to income statement related to hedging activities, tax Other Comprehensive Income Minimum Pension Liability Net Adjustment tax Pension liability adjustment, tax and tax benefit Pension liability adjustment, tax and tax benefit Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Share-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based compensation expense Losses Gains On Sales Of Assets And Asset Impairment Charges Loss on divestitures and other, net (Gain) loss on divestitures and other, net Loss on disposition of assets and operations Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost Write-off of financing costs Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits, Total Adjustments Noncash Items To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used in Operating Activities Other Other Other Other Noncash Income (Expense), Total Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Receivables, net Receivables, net Increase (Decrease) in Receivables, Total Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Prepaid expenses and other assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total Incrase (Decrease) in Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable Income taxes receivable/payable Increase decrease litigation liabilities Increase Decrease Litigation Liabilities Litigation settlements Net cash provided by continuing operations Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations Net cash provided by discontinued operations Net cash provided by operating activities-discontinued operations Net cash provided by operating activities-discontinued operations Net cash provided by operating activities-discontinued operations Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Payments for property, plant and equipment Payments for property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Capital expenditures Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities Proceeds from insurance proceeds Proceeds from insurance claims Proceeds from Sales of Business, Affiliate and Productive Assets Proceeds from divestitures Net proceeds from divestitures Payments for acquisitions, net of cash received Payments for acquisitions, net of cash received Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Proceeds from sale of fixed assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Net cash used in continuing operations Net cash used in investing activities - continued operations Net cash used in investing activities-continuing operations Net cash used in discontinued operations Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities-discontinued operations Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations Net cash used in investing activities Net cash used in investing activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Proceeds from issuance of debt Repayments Of Short Term And Long Term Debt Repayments Of Short Term And Long Term Debt Repayment of debt Repayment of debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Proceeds from senior secured revolver Proceeds from Lines of Credit, Total Payments for senior secured revolver Payments for senior secured revolver Proceeds from receivables-backed facility Proceeds from receivables-backed facility Payments for receivables-backed facility Payments for receivables-backed facility Payments of Debt Restructuring Costs Payments of financing costs Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options, Total Proceeds from issuance of public offering Tax savings on share-based compensation Tax savings on share-based compensation Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests Capital contribution from non-controlling interest Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Increase in cash and cash equivalents Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Increase in cash and cash equivalents Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Divestitures, Discontinued Operations And Acquisitions [Abstract] Divestitures, Discontinued Operations And Acquisitions [Abstract] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Discontinued Operations Divestitures, Discontinued Operations And Acquisitions Investment In Affiliates [Abstract] Related party transactions and equity method investment and joint venture disclosure text block Related Party Transactions And Equity Method Investment And Joint Venture Disclosure [Text Block] Investment In Affiliates Inventories [Abstract] Inventories Disclosure Text Block Inventories Inventories, net Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property, Plant And Equipment Goodwill and intangible Assets Abstract Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure Text Block Goodwill And Intangible Assets Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses [Abstract] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Debt [Abstract] Long-term Debt [Text Block] Debt Debt Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Derivatives and Fair Value [Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation [Abstract] Common Stock and Share-Based Compensation text block Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Disclosure Text Block Earnings (Loss) Per Share Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Employee Retirement And Profit Sharing Plans [Abstract] Employee Retirement And Profit Sharing Plans [Abstract] Employee Retirement And Profit Sharing Plans [Text Block] Employee Retirement And Profit Sharing Plans [Text Block] Employee Retirement And Profit Sharing Plans Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions [Abstract] Postemployment Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Cash Flow Information Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows