Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2011	Jul. 28, 2010
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 234,959	$ 248,595
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(25,745)	(26,055)
Reclassification of net pension and postretirement benefit (gains)/losses to net income	13,920	13,207
Net deferred gains/(losses) on derivatives from periodic revaluations	15,737	4,039
Net deferred (gains)/losses on derivatives reclassified to earnings	(11,742)	(2,473)
Total comprehensive income	227,129	237,313
H.J. Heinz Company [Member]
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	226,114
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(27,729)
Reclassification of net pension and postretirement benefit (gains)/losses to net income	13,951
Net deferred gains/(losses) on derivatives from periodic revaluations	15,776
Net deferred (gains)/losses on derivatives reclassified to earnings	(11,836)
Total comprehensive income	216,276	228,641
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	8,845
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,984
Reclassification of net pension and postretirement benefit (gains)/losses to net income	(31)
Net deferred gains/(losses) on derivatives from periodic revaluations	(39)
Net deferred (gains)/losses on derivatives reclassified to earnings	94
Total comprehensive income	$ 10,853	$ 8,672