CURRENT lIABILITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 23, 2012		Dec. 25, 2011
Accounts payable:
Trade accounts	$ 239,901		$ 294,662
Book overdrafts	79,322		32,958
Other payables	781		1,244
Total accounts payable	320,004		328,864
Account payable to JBS USA, LLC	6,280		11,653
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Compensation and benefits	84,787		72,328
Interest and debt-related fees	19,115		13,809
Insurance and self-insured claims	106,205		102,256
Foreign currency derivative liabilities:
Forwards	(266)	[1]	0	[1]
Other accrued expenses	98,984		89,855
Pre-petition obligations	0		826
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	310,463		281,797
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current	636,747		622,314
Future [Member]
Commodity Derivative Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative Liabilities	1,106		2,120
Options Held [Member]
Commodity Derivative Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative Liabilities	0		603
Forward Contracts [Member]
Foreign currency derivative liabilities:
Forwards	$ (266)	[1]	$ 0	[1]

[1] Foreign currency derivative liabilities are included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.