Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Carrying Value and Fair Value of Senior Notes and Subsidiary Senior Notes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Dean Foods Company \| Senior Notes Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Amount Outstanding	$ 700,000	$ 700,000
Subsidiary debt obligations \| Senior Notes Due 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Amount Outstanding	0	142,000
Senior Notes \| Dean Foods Company \| Senior Notes Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Fair Value	698,250	736,750
Senior Notes \| Subsidiary debt obligations \| Senior Notes Due 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Fair Value	$ 0	$ 146,615

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant