Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2012		Oct. 26, 2011		Oct. 28, 2012		Oct. 26, 2011
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	$ 2,827,210		$ 2,813,964		$ 5,618,434		$ 5,646,562
Operating income (loss)	391,697		358,145		802,035		728,683
Ketchup and Sauces [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	1,315,116		1,268,332		2,634,416		2,578,812
Meals and Snacks [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	1,072,892		1,090,462		2,043,544		2,081,912
Infant/Nutrition [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	285,254		301,508		581,972		623,622
Other [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	153,948		153,662		358,502		362,216
North American Consumer Products [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	794,957		794,271		1,553,809		1,568,892
Operating income (loss)	190,341		201,927		373,772		392,705
Europe [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	808,427		844,187		1,586,343		1,682,019
Operating income (loss)	140,398		144,470		277,592		281,909
Asia Pacific [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	606,283		592,825		1,264,216		1,263,591
Operating income (loss)	49,784		39,989		122,613		101,234
U.S. Foodservice [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	348,028		334,436		663,374		642,403
Operating income (loss)	44,223		34,886		80,873		67,417
Rest of World [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	269,515		248,245		550,692		489,657
Operating income (loss)	27,094		32,119		58,107		64,415
Non-Operating [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Operating income (loss)	(60,143)	[1]	(57,929)	[1]	(110,922)	[1]	(101,169)	[1]
Productivity Initiatives [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Operating income (loss)	$ 0	[2]	$ (37,317)	[2]	$ 0	[2]	$ (77,828)	[2]

[1] Includes corporate overhead, intercompany eliminations and charges not directly attributable to operating segments.

[2] See Note 4 for further details on Fiscal 2012 productivity initiatives.