Segment Reporting (Restated) - Assets by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 232,301	$ 236,179
Industrial Ingredients [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	142,852	143,039
Food Ingredients [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	64,443	63,949
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 25,006	$ 29,191