EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - NARRATIVE (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 vote $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2015 shares	Dec. 31, 2014 shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common and preferred shares authorized (shares)	1,055,000,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized (shares)	5,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 1
Common stock, shares, outstanding (shares)	212,259,735	216,777,360	221,044,958
Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries | Lotte Shanghai Food Company
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	50.00%
Common stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	900,000,000
Common stock, par (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 1
Common stock, voting rights (vote) | vote	1
Common stock voting rights, board election percentage	16.66%
Dividends, common sock, cash, additional percentage over Class B common stock dividends	10.00%
Common stock | Hershey Trust Company
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares, outstanding (shares)	12,903,021
Class B common stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	150,000,000
Common stock, voting rights (vote) | vote	10
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted	0	0	440
Class B common stock | Hershey Trust Company
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares, outstanding (shares)	60,612,012
Common stock, voting percentage	80.00%