Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 2 (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2012		Apr. 27, 2011		Apr. 28, 2010
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 3,298,441,000	[1]	$ 2,770,918,000
Acquisitions			377,572,000
Purchase accounting adjustments	1,380,000		(10,966,000)
Translation adjustments	(151,568,000)		160,917,000
Goodwill, Ending Balance	3,148,253,000		3,298,441,000	[1]
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill accumulated impairment losses	84,600,000		84,600,000		84,600,000
North American Consumer Products [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	1,111,737,000		1,102,891,000
Acquisitions			0
Purchase accounting adjustments	0		0
Translation adjustments	(8,093,000)		8,846,000
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,103,644,000		1,111,737,000
Europe [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	1,221,240,000		1,106,744,000
Acquisitions			0
Purchase accounting adjustments	0		(278,000)
Translation adjustments	(103,344,000)		114,774,000
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,117,896,000		1,221,240,000
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill accumulated impairment losses	54,500,000		54,500,000		54,500,000
Asia/Pacific [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	392,080,000		289,425,000
Acquisitions			77,345,000
Purchase accounting adjustments	0		(10,688,000)
Translation adjustments	2,868,000		35,998,000
Goodwill, Ending Balance	394,948,000		392,080,000
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill accumulated impairment losses	2,700,000		2,700,000		2,700,000
U.S. Foodservice [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	257,674,000		257,674,000
Acquisitions			0
Purchase accounting adjustments	0		0
Translation adjustments	0		0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	257,674,000		257,674,000
Rest of World [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	315,710,000		14,184,000
Acquisitions			300,227,000
Purchase accounting adjustments	1,380,000		0
Translation adjustments	(42,999,000)		1,299,000
Goodwill, Ending Balance	274,091,000		315,710,000
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill accumulated impairment losses	$ 27,400,000		$ 27,400,000		$ 27,400,000

[1] The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.