Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) January 2, 2016, attributable to Darling, net of tax	$ (335,918)
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	57,727
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(176)
Net current-period other comprehensive income	57,551	$ (92,508)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) April 2, 2016, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(276,363)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(2,004)
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) January 2, 2016, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(305,213)
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	57,531
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income	57,531
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) April 2, 2016, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(245,678)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(2,004)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) January 2, 2016, attributable to Darling, net of tax	1,843
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	196
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(902)
Net current-period other comprehensive income	(706)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) April 2, 2016, attributable to Darling, net of tax	1,137
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) January 2, 2016, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(32,548)
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	726
Net current-period other comprehensive income	726
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) April 2, 2016, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(31,822)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 0