Employee Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans - Schedule of Information Regarding Contribution in Multiemployer Pension Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	$ 29,231	$ 30,073	$ 29,930
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	916145047
Pension Plan Number	001
Central States Southeast And Southwest Areas Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	366044243
Pension Plan Number	001
Retail Wholesale Department Store International Union And Industry Pension Fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	630708442
Pension Plan Number	001
Dairy Industry Union Pension Plan For Philadelphia Vicinity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	236283288
Pension Plan Number	001
Dean Foods Company
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	$ 29,200	30,100	29,900
Dean Foods Company | Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	916145047
Pension Plan Number	001
Total contribution	$ 13,200	13,800	12,800
Surcharge Imposed	No
Dean Foods Company | Central States Southeast And Southwest Areas Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	366044243
Pension Plan Number	001
Total contribution	$ 9,500	8,600	9,300
Surcharge Imposed	No
Dean Foods Company | Retail Wholesale Department Store International Union And Industry Pension Fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	630708442
Pension Plan Number	001
Total contribution	$ 1,300	1,800	1,300
Surcharge Imposed	No
Dean Foods Company | Dairy Industry Union Pension Plan For Philadelphia Vicinity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	236283288
Pension Plan Number	001
Total contribution	$ 2,100	1,900	2,100
Surcharge Imposed	No
Dean Foods Company | All Other Multiemployer Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	$ 3,100	$ 4,000	$ 4,400