Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Oct. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses		$ (671,321)	$ (764,161)	$ (2,024,118)	$ (2,328,872)
Amortization of prior service cost		(21)	4	(61)	12
Amortization of actuarial loss		1,286	520	3,855	1,559
Total before tax		502	27,090	14,043	7,872
Income taxes		(7,859)	(11,136)	(14,639)	(8,349)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling		(9,087)	14,318	(5,898)	(5,728)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling		(651)	464	(1,842)	851
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax		211	1,282	792	2,963
Income taxes		(82)	(497)	(307)	(1,150)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling		129	785	485	1,813
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses		0	(70)	0	(427)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Corn Option [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses		(211)	(1,212)	(792)	(2,536)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service cost	[1]	21	(4)	61	(12)
Amortization of actuarial loss	[1]	(1,286)	(520)	(3,855)	(1,559)
Total before tax		(1,265)	(524)	(3,794)	(1,571)
Income taxes		485	203	1,467	609
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling		$ (780)	$ (321)	$ (2,327)	$ (962)

[1] These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 9 Employee Benefit Plans for additional information.