Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2013	Apr. 29, 2012	Apr. 27, 2011
Sales	$ 11,528,886	$ 11,507,572	$ 10,558,636
Cost of products sold	7,333,416	7,512,783	6,614,259
Gross profit	4,195,470	3,994,789	3,944,377
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,533,819	2,492,482	2,256,739
Operating income	1,661,651	1,502,307	1,687,638
Interest income	27,795	34,547	22,548
Interest expense	283,607	293,009	272,660
Other expense, net	(62,196)	(7,756)	(21,204)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax	1,343,643	1,236,089	1,416,322
Provision for income taxes	241,598	244,966	370,817
Income from continuing operations	1,102,045	991,123	1,045,505
Net after-tax losses	(74,712)	(51,215)	(39,557)
Net income	1,027,333	939,908	1,005,948
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	14,430	16,749	16,438
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	1,012,903	923,159	989,510
Diluted
Continuing operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 3.37	$ 3.01	$ 3.18
Discontinued operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ (0.23)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.12)
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 3.14	$ 2.85	$ 3.06
Average common shares outstanding-diluted	323,172	323,321	323,042
Basic
Continuing operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 3.39	$ 3.03	$ 3.21
Discontinued operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ (0.23)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.12)
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 3.16	$ 2.87	$ 3.09
Average common shares outstanding-basic	320,662	320,686	320,118
Cash dividends	$ 2.06	$ 1.92	$ 1.80
Amounts attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	1,087,615	974,374	1,029,067
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(74,712)	(51,215)	(39,557)
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	$ 1,012,903	$ 923,159	$ 989,510