Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Oct. 26, 2011		Oct. 27, 2010		Oct. 26, 2011		Oct. 27, 2010
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	$ 2,831,832		$ 2,614,623		$ 5,681,413		$ 5,095,448
Operating income (loss)	357,735		416,799		727,298		822,514
North American Consumer Products [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	794,271		802,925		1,568,892		1,564,737
Operating income (loss)	201,927		203,964		392,705		395,044
U.S. Foodservice [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	352,304		362,418		677,254		690,952
Operating income (loss)	34,476		51,126		66,032		90,615
Europe [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	844,187		798,119		1,682,019		1,511,442
Operating income (loss)	144,470		135,756		281,909		250,792
Asia Pacific [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	592,825		531,365		1,263,591		1,089,545
Operating income (loss)	39,989		58,174		101,234		129,876
Rest of World [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	248,245		119,796		489,657		238,772
Operating income (loss)	32,119		12,748		64,415		28,668
Non-Operating [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Operating income (loss)	(57,929)	[1]	(44,969)	[1]	(101,169)	[1]	(72,481)	[1]
Upfront Productivity Charges [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Operating income (loss)	(37,317)	[2]	0	[2]	(77,828)	[2]	0	[2]
Ketchup and Sauces [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	1,268,332		1,113,728		2,578,812		2,205,924
Meals and Snacks [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	1,108,295		1,078,527		2,116,691		1,996,351
Infant/Nutrition [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	301,508		281,274		623,622		562,049
Other Products [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	$ 153,697		$ 141,094		$ 362,288		$ 331,124

[1] Includes corporate overhead, intercompany eliminations and charges not directly attributable to operating segments.

[2] See Note 3 for further details.