Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policies)	Jul. 31, 2011
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Policies Abstract
ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements	In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. ASU 2011-04 provides clarification about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements and expands certain other disclosure requirements. This ASU will be effective February 1, 2012, for the Company.
ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income	In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity and requires the presentation of net income and other comprehensive income to be in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The guidance does not change the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income. This ASU will be effective May 1, 2012, for the Company and requires retrospective application. Adoption of this guidance will affect the presentation of certain elements of the Company’s financial statements, but these changes in presentation will not otherwise have an impact on the financial statements.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Commodity Price Management. The Company enters into commodity futures and options contracts to manage the price volatility and reduce the variability of future cash flows related to anticipated inventory purchases of green coffee, edible oils, flour, milk, corn, and corn sweetener. The Company also enters into commodity futures and options contracts to manage price risk for energy input costs, including natural gas and diesel fuel. The derivative instruments generally have maturities of less than one year. Certain of the derivative instruments associated with the Company’s U.S. Retail Consumer Foods and U.S. Retail Coffee segments meet the hedge criteria and are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The mark-to-market gains or losses on qualifying hedges are deferred and included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income to the extent effective, and reclassified to cost of products sold in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Cash flows related to qualifying hedges are classified consistently with the cash flows from the hedged item in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. In order to qualify as a hedge of commodity price risk, it must be demonstrated that the changes in the fair value of the commodity’s futures contracts are highly effective in hedging price risks associated with the commodity purchased. Hedge effectiveness is measured and assessed at inception and on a monthly basis. The mark-to-market gains or losses on nonqualifying and ineffective portions of commodity hedges are recognized in cost of products sold immediately. Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Hedging. The Company utilizes foreign currency forwards and options contracts to manage the effect of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on future cash payments primarily related to purchases of certain raw materials, finished goods, and fixed assets. The contracts generally have maturities of less than one year. At the inception of the contract, the derivative is evaluated and documented for hedge accounting treatment. Instruments currently used to manage foreign currency exchange exposures do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting treatment and the change in value of these instruments is immediately recognized in cost of products sold. If the contract qualifies for hedge accounting treatment, to the extent the hedge is deemed effective, the associated mark-to-market gains and losses are deferred and included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income. These gains or losses are reclassified to earnings in the period the contract is executed. The ineffective portion of these contracts is immediately recognized in earnings. Interest Rate Hedging. The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage changes in the fair value of its debt. Interest rate swaps mitigate the risk associated with the underlying hedged item. At the inception of the contract, the instrument is evaluated and documented for hedge accounting treatment. The Company’s interest rate swap met the criteria to be designated as a fair value hedge. The Company receives a fixed rate and pays variable rates, hedging the underlying debt and the associated changes in the fair value of the debt. The interest rate swap is recognized at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and changes in the fair value are recognized in interest expense. Gains and losses recognized in interest expense on the instrument have no net impact to earnings as the change in the fair value of the derivative is equal to the change in fair value of the underlying debt.

Describes an entity's accounting policies for its derivative instruments and hedging activities. Disclosure may include: (1) Each method used to account for derivative financial instruments and derivative commodity instruments ("derivatives"); (2) the types of derivatives accounted for under each method; (3) the criteria required to be met for each accounting method used, including a discussion of the criteria required to be met for hedge or deferral accounting and accrual or settlement accounting (for example: whether and how risk reduction, correlation, designation, and effectiveness tests are applied); (4) the accounting method used if the criteria specified for hedge accounting are not met; (5) the method used to account for termination of derivatives designated as hedges or derivatives used to affect directly or indirectly the terms, fair values, or cash flows of a designated item; (6) the method used to account for derivatives when the designated item matures, is sold, is extinguished, or is terminated. In addition, the method used to account for derivatives designated to an anticipated transaction, when the anticipated transaction is no longer likely to occur; and (7) where and when derivatives, and their related gains (losses) are reported in the statement of financial position, cash flows, and results of operations and (8) an accounting policy decision to offset fair value amounts with counterparties. An entity should also consider describing its embedded derivatives, and the method(s) used to determine the fair values of derivatives and any significant assumptions used in such valuations.

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