Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) - Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,929,480	$ 1,894,066	$ 1,951,230	$ 1,980,507	$ 1,934,997	$ 1,937,620	$ 1,926,722	$ 1,995,686	$ 7,755,283	$ 7,795,025	$ 7,710,226
Gross profit	383,394	390,597	432,784	448,503	446,530	441,838	467,480	462,219	1,655,278	1,818,067	1,988,114
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(263,301)	(26,648)	(42,016)	(265)	49,507	(9,973)	17,647	(9,759)	(332,230)	47,422	120,617
Net income (loss)	(260,351)	(26,648)	(40,094)	(265)	$ 52,318	$ 1,382	$ 17,647	$ (9,759)	(327,358)	61,588	119,929
Net loss attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ (260,117)	$ (26,424)	$ (40,094)	$ (265)					$ (326,900)	$ 61,588	$ 119,929
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations:
Basic (USD per share)	$ (2.88)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.46)	$ 0.00	$ 0.54	$ (0.11)	$ 0.19	$ (0.11)	$ (3.58)	$ 0.68	$ 1.32
Diluted (USD per share)	$ (2.88)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.46)	$ 0.00	$ 0.54	$ (0.11)	$ 0.19	$ (0.11)	$ (3.58)	$ 0.67	$ 1.31
Facility closing and reorganization costs, net of tax	$ 1,200	$ (2,000)	$ 51,200	$ 6,400	$ 1,200	$ 4,800	$ 3,600	$ 5,700
Goodwill impairment loss	190,700								$ 190,714			$ 2,080,000
Income tax benefit related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act	(43,700)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 11,400							$ 0	$ 11,291	$ (312)
WhiteWave Foods
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations:
Impairments of plant, property and equipment	$ 11,500		$ 2,200		$ 5,700	$ 25,000