Segmented information (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	$ 1,260,852	$ 1,279,593	$ 1,346,731
Segment operating income (loss)	17,668	31,856	27,993
Other expense, net	2,825	23,660	28,292
Goodwill impairment	81,222	115,000	17,540
Interest expense, net	34,406	32,504	43,275
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(114,521)	(170,397)	(74,361)
Assets	896,738	982,173
Property, plant and equipment	171,032	163,624
Amortization	32,788	32,824	34,150
Goodwill	27,959	109,533	223,611
Capital expenditures	31,603	41,139	22,560
US
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	984,122	1,001,417	1,084,199
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(107,068)	(178,033)	(93,941)
Property, plant and equipment	134,598	128,367
CA
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	29,055	27,929	30,959
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(13,408)	(3,286)	9,811
Property, plant and equipment	2,787	3,094
Europe And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	247,675	250,247	231,573
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	5,955	10,922	9,769
Property, plant and equipment	33,647	32,163
Global Ingredients [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	559,712	536,928	558,798
Segment operating income (loss)	16,430	19,932	24,771
Goodwill impairment	0	0
Assets	364,454	347,971
Amortization	6,704	6,464	6,406
Goodwill	8,825	9,177	8,255
Capital expenditures	7,904	9,060	4,767
Consumer Products [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	701,140	742,665	787,933
Segment operating income (loss)	1,238	11,924	3,222
Goodwill impairment	81,222	115,000
Assets	458,224	588,542
Amortization	22,111	23,666	25,532
Goodwill	19,134	100,356	215,356
Capital expenditures	15,314	27,054	14,586
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment operating income (loss)	(13,736)	(31,089)	(13,247)
Assets	74,060	45,660
Amortization	3,973	2,694	2,212
Capital expenditures	8,385	5,025	3,207
Segment Total [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	822,678	936,513
Amortization	28,815	30,130	31,938
Capital expenditures	23,218	36,114	$ 19,353
Assets Held for Sale [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 0	$ 0