Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 29, 2012		Apr. 27, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,330,441		$ 724,311
Trade receivables (net of allowances: 2012—$10,680 and 2011—$10,909)	815,600		1,039,064
Other receivables (net of allowances: 2012—$607 and 2011—$503)	177,910		225,968
Inventories:
Finished goods and work-in-process	1,082,317		1,165,069
Packaging material and ingredients	247,034		286,477
Total inventories	1,329,351		1,451,546
Prepaid expenses	174,795		159,521
Other current assets	54,139		153,132
Total current assets	3,882,236		3,753,542
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	81,185		85,457
Buildings and leasehold improvements	1,009,379		1,019,311
Equipment, furniture and other	4,175,997		4,119,947
Property, plant and equipment	5,266,561		5,224,715
Less accumulated depreciation	2,782,423		2,719,632
Total property, plant and equipment, net	2,484,138		2,505,083
Other non-current assets:
Goodwill	3,185,527		3,298,441
Trademarks, net	1,090,892		1,156,221
Other intangibles, net	407,802		442,563
Other non-current assets	932,698		1,074,795
Total other non-current assets	5,616,919		5,972,020
Total assets	11,983,293		12,230,645
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt	46,460		87,800
Portion of long-term debt due within one year	200,248		1,447,132
Trade payables	1,202,398		1,337,620
Other payables	146,414		162,047
Accrued marketing	303,132		313,389
Other accrued liabilities	647,769		715,147
Income taxes	101,540		98,325
Total current liabilities	2,647,961		4,161,460
Long-term debt and other non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt	4,779,981		3,078,128
Deferred income taxes	817,928		897,179
Non-pension postretirement benefits	231,452		216,172
Other non-current liabilities	581,390		570,571
Total long-term debt and other non-current liabilities	6,410,751		4,762,050
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	113,759		124,669
Capital Stock:
Third cumulative preferred, $1.70 first series, $10 par value	61	[1]	69	[1]
Common stock, 431,096 shares issued, $0.25 par value	107,774		107,774
Capital stock	107,835		107,843
Additional capital	594,608		629,367
Retained earnings	7,567,278		7,264,678
Sum of capital stock, additional capital and retained earnings	8,269,721		8,001,888
Less:
Treasury shares, at cost (110,870 shares at April 29, 2012 and 109,818 shares at April 27, 2011)	4,666,404		4,593,362
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	844,728		299,564
Total H. J. Heinz Company shareholders' equity	2,758,589		3,108,962
Noncontrolling interest	52,233		73,504
Total equity	2,810,822		3,182,466
Total liabilities and equity	$ 11,983,293		$ 12,230,645

[1] The preferred stock outstanding is convertible at a rate of one share of preferred stock into 15 shares of common stock. The Company can redeem the stock at $28.50 per share. As of April 29, 2012, there were authorized, but unissued, 2,200 shares of third cumulative preferred stock for which the series had not been designated.