Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
Jul. 02, 2011	Aug. 04, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000916540
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 02, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		117,046,206

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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