Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2012	Jan. 26, 2011	Jan. 25, 2012	Jan. 26, 2011
Sales	$ 2,918,077	$ 2,722,350	$ 8,599,490	$ 7,817,798
Cost of products sold	1,877,355	1,694,057	5,603,237	4,914,901
Gross profit	1,040,722	1,028,293	2,996,253	2,902,897
Selling, general and administrative expenses	618,266	589,895	1,846,499	1,641,985
Operating income	422,456	438,398	1,149,754	1,260,912
Interest income	6,718	6,259	25,686	14,954
Interest expense	72,727	69,321	218,859	203,401
Other expense, net	(2,706)	(1,321)	(3,742)	(19,129)
Income before income taxes	353,741	374,015	952,839	1,053,336
Provision for income taxes	66,502	97,488	190,505	274,272
Net income	287,239	276,527	762,334	779,064
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	2,545	2,742	14,517	13,417
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	$ 284,694	$ 273,785	$ 747,817	$ 765,647
Net income per share attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders- Diluted	$ 0.88	$ 0.84	$ 2.31	$ 2.37
Average common shares outstanding-diluted	322,713	324,199	323,538	322,561
Net income per share attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders- basic	$ 0.89	$ 0.85	$ 2.32	$ 2.39
Average common shares outstanding-basic	320,159	321,277	320,850	319,613
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.48	$ 0.45	$ 1.44	$ 1.35