Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 26, 2011	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 26, 2011
Sales	$ 2,827,210	$ 2,813,964	$ 5,618,434	$ 5,646,562
Cost of products sold	1,813,801	1,846,345	3,603,037	3,695,311
Gross profit	1,013,409	967,619	2,015,397	1,951,251
Selling, general and administrative expenses	621,712	609,474	1,213,362	1,222,568
Operating income	391,697	358,145	802,035	728,683
Interest income	7,833	9,191	16,191	18,968
Interest expense	69,963	75,177	143,334	146,132
Other (expense)/income, net	(6,264)	1,244	(3,998)	(1,036)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	323,303	293,403	670,894	600,483
Provision for income taxes	31,037	52,999	92,624	124,505
Income from continuing operations	292,266	240,404	578,270	475,978
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(678)	(268)	(22,004)	(883)
Net income	291,588	240,136	556,266	475,095
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	2,144	3,127	8,795	11,972
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	289,444	237,009	547,471	463,123
Diluted
Continuing operations attributable to H.J. Heinz company common shareholders	$ 0.90	$ 0.73	$ 1.76	$ 1.43
Discontinued operations attributable to H.J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.07)	$ 0.00
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 0.90	$ 0.73	$ 1.70	$ 1.43
Average common shares outstanding-diluted	323,058	323,561	322,969	323,910
Basic
Continuing operations attributable to H.J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 0.91	$ 0.74	$ 1.78	$ 1.44
Discontinued operations attributable to H.J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.07)	$ 0.00
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 0.90	$ 0.74	$ 1.71	$ 1.44
Average common shares outstanding-basic	320,492	320,876	320,415	321,158
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.515	$ 0.48	$ 1.03	$ 0.96
Amounts attributable to H.J. Heinz Company common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	290,122	237,277	569,475	464,006
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(678)	(268)	(22,004)	(883)
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	$ 289,444	$ 237,009	$ 547,471	$ 463,123