Changes in Equity 1 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2012
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 3,182,466	[1]
Comprehensive income	345,661	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	(464,901)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(8,063)
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	80,579
Stock option expense	9,206
Restricted stock unit activity	11,141
Conversion of preferred into common stock	0
Shares reacquired	(201,904)
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	(54,824)	[3]
Other	4,530
Balance at end of year	2,903,891
Capital Stock [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	107,843
Comprehensive income	0	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	0
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	0
Stock option expense	0
Restricted stock unit activity	0
Conversion of preferred into common stock	(8)
Shares reacquired	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	0	[3]
Other	0
Balance at end of year	107,835
Additional Capital [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	629,367
Comprehensive income	0	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	0
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	(13,639)
Stock option expense	9,206
Restricted stock unit activity	(2,464)
Conversion of preferred into common stock	(539)
Shares reacquired	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	(34,483)	[3]
Other	150
Balance at end of year	587,598
Retained Earnings [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	7,264,678
Comprehensive income	747,817	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	(464,901)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	0
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	0
Stock option expense	0
Restricted stock unit activity	0
Conversion of preferred into common stock	0
Shares reacquired	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	0	[3]
Other	(573)
Balance at end of year	7,547,021
Treasury Stock [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	(4,593,362)
Comprehensive income	0	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	0
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	94,218
Stock option expense	0
Restricted stock unit activity	13,605
Conversion of preferred into common stock	547
Shares reacquired	(201,904)
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	0	[3]
Other	4,953
Balance at end of year	(4,681,943)
Accum OCI [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	(299,564)
Comprehensive income	(410,240)	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	0
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	0
Stock option expense	0
Restricted stock unit activity	0
Conversion of preferred into common stock	0
Shares reacquired	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	(456)	[3]
Other	0
Balance at end of year	(710,260)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	73,504
Comprehensive income	8,084	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(8,063)
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	0
Stock option expense	0
Restricted stock unit activity	0
Conversion of preferred into common stock	0
Shares reacquired	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	(19,885)	[3]
Other	0
Balance at end of year	$ 53,640

[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.

[2] The allocation of the individual components of comprehensive income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company and the noncontrolling interest is disclosed in Note 10.

[3] During the second quarter of Fiscal 2012, the Company acquired an additional 10% interest in P.T. Heinz ABC Indonesia for $54.8 million. P.T. Heinz ABC Indonesia is an Indonesian subsidiary of the Company that manufacturers Asian sauces and condiments as well as juices and syrups. Prior to the transaction, the Company owned 65% of this business.