<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.2.0.727</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>374</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>337</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>92</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>11</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLossUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLossUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - General</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/General</Role>
      <ShortName>General</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Acquisition and Divestitures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/AcquisitionAndDivestitures</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition and Divestitures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Joint Venture with China Mengniu Dairy Company</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/JointVentureWithChinaMengniuDairyCompany</Role>
      <ShortName>Joint Venture with China Mengniu Dairy Company</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Debt and Capital Lease Obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Capital Lease Obligations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurement</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Employee Retirement Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/EmployeeRetirementPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Retirement Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndCustomerInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorFinancialInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - General (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/GeneralPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>General (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Acquisition and Divestitures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/AcquisitionAndDivestituresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition and Divestitures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/AcquisitionAndDivestitures</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/Inventories</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurement</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Employee Retirement Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/EmployeeRetirementPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Retirement Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/EmployeeRetirementPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndCustomerInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndCustomerInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorFinancialInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorFinancialInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - General - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/GeneralAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>General - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Acquisition and Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/AcquisitionAndDivestituresAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition and Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Acquisition and Divestitures - Schedule of Allocation of Purchase Price (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/AcquisitionAndDivestituresScheduleOfAllocationOfPurchasePriceDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition and Divestitures - Schedule of Allocation of Purchase Price (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Acquisition and Divestitures - Schedule of Liabilities Recorded (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/AcquisitionAndDivestituresScheduleOfLiabilitiesRecordedDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition and Divestitures - Schedule of Liabilities Recorded (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403401 - Disclosure - Joint Venture with China Mengniu Dairy Company - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/JointVentureWithChinaMengniuDairyCompanyAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Joint Venture with China Mengniu Dairy Company - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Inventories - Inventories (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/InventoriesInventoriesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories - Inventories (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsChangesInCarryingAmountOfGoodwillDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Net Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsNetIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Net Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405405 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Aggregate Finite-Lived Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsEstimatedAggregateFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetAmortizationExpenseDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Aggregate Finite-Lived Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406401 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Summary of Outstanding Debt and Capital Lease Obligation (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsSummaryOfOutstandingDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Summary of Outstanding Debt and Capital Lease Obligation (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Senior Secured Credit Facilities (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsSeniorSecuredCreditFacilitiesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Senior Secured Credit Facilities (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Alpro Revolving Credit Facility (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsAlproRevolvingCreditFacilityNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Alpro Revolving Credit Facility (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Senior Unsecured Notes and Capital Lease Obligations (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsSeniorUnsecuredNotesAndCapitalLeaseObligationsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Senior Unsecured Notes and Capital Lease Obligations (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Summary of Interest Rate Swap Agreements (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementSummaryOfInterestRateSwapAgreementsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Summary of Interest Rate Swap Agreements (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Derivatives Recorded at Fair Value in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementDerivativesRecordedAtFairValueInConsolidatedBalanceSheetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Derivatives Recorded at Fair Value in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408405 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Gains and Losses on Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementGainsAndLossesOnDerivativesDesignatedAsCashFlowHedgesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Gains and Losses on Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408406 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Summary of Derivatives Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementSummaryOfDerivativesAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Summary of Derivatives Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of WhiteWave Stock Options Grants Issued (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedToEstimateFairValueOfWhitewaveStockOptionsGrantsIssuedDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of WhiteWave Stock Options Grants Issued (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409405 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Summary of WhiteWave Foods Stock Option Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfWhitewaveFoodsStockOptionActivityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Summary of WhiteWave Foods Stock Option Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409406 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Summary of WhiteWave Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfWhitewaveRestrictedStockUnitActivityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Summary of WhiteWave Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409407 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Schedule of PSU Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationScheduleOfPsuActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Schedule of PSU Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409408 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Summary of WhiteWave Phantom Share Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfWhitewavePhantomShareActivityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Summary of WhiteWave Phantom Share Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409409 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - WhiteWave Stock Appreciation Rights Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationWhitewaveStockAppreciationRightsActivityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - WhiteWave Stock Appreciation Rights Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossChangesInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Employee Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/EmployeeRetirementPlansAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - Employee Retirement Plans - Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/EmployeeRetirementPlansScheduleOfNetPeriodicBenefitCostDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Retirement Plans - Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Customer Information - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndCustomerInformationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Customer Information - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Customer Information - Summarized Income Statement Amounts by Segment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndCustomerInformationSummarizedIncomeStatementAmountsBySegmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Customer Information - Summarized Income Statement Amounts by Segment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413404 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Customer Information - Sales Amounts by Product Categories (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndCustomerInformationSalesAmountsByProductCategoriesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Customer Information - Sales Amounts by Product Categories (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413405 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Customer Information - Summarized Balance Sheet Amounts by Segment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndCustomerInformationSummarizedBalanceSheetAmountsBySegmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Customer Information - Summarized Balance Sheet Amounts by Segment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Numerators and Denominators Used in Computations of Both Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/EarningsPerShareReconciliationOfNumeratorsAndDenominatorsUsedInComputationsOfBothBasicAndDilutedNetIncomePerShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Numerators and Denominators Used in Computations of Both Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorFinancialInformationCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorFinancialInformationCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416404 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorFinancialInformationCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.whitewave.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">In ''Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)'', column(s) 2, 4, 5, 6 are contained in other reports, so were removed by flow through suppression.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">In ''Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)'', column(s) 1, 2 are contained in other reports, so were removed by flow through suppression.</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>wwav-20150630.xml</File>
    <File>wwav-20150630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>wwav-20150630_def.xml</File>
    <File>wwav-20150630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>wwav-20150630_pre.xml</File>
    <File>wwav-20150630.xsd</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>

