Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2012	Jan. 26, 2011
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HEINZ H J CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000046640
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jan. 25, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--05-02
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 15.5
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	319,891,131