Segment Information - Total Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	$ 4,887,397	$ 4,854,479
Adjustment
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	(13,930)	(13,930)
Operating Segments
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	4,133,803	4,040,513
Corporate/Manufacturing
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	753,594	813,966
Consumer Products Group | Adjustment
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	(7,129)	(7,129)
Consumer Products Group | Operating Segments
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	2,643,347	2,535,813
Holland & Barrett International | Adjustment
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	(3,086)	(3,086)
Holland & Barrett International | Operating Segments
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	945,879	941,739
Puritan's Pride | Adjustment
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	(3,715)	(3,715)
Puritan's Pride | Operating Segments
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	502,636	511,080
Vitamin World | Operating Segments
Total assets by segment
Consolidated assets	$ 41,941	$ 51,881