WHITEWAVE FOODS (WWAV) 10-K 2 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	WWAV
Entity Registrant Name	WHITEWAVE FOODS Co
Entity Central Index Key	1555365
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		174,432,845
Entity Public Float			$5.50

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$50,240	$101,105
Trade receivables, net of allowance of $2,343 and $1,345	192,692	146,864
Inventories	215,669	158,569
Deferred income taxes	30,263	26,588
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	50,323	23,095
Total current assets	539,187	456,221
Equity method investments	43,160	0
Property, plant, and equipment, net	993,207	659,683
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	729,011	394,937
Goodwill	1,068,276	772,343
Total Assets	3,372,841	2,283,184
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	469,764	357,106
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	21,158	15,000
Income taxes payable	496	14,294
Total current liabilities	491,418	386,400
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,495,822	647,650
Deferred income taxes	267,010	237,765
Other long-term liabilities	42,104	49,930
Total liabilities	2,296,354	1,321,745
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 170,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	878,549	851,017
Retained earnings	257,312	117,127
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-61,118	-8,440
Total shareholders’ equity	1,076,487	961,439
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	3,372,841	2,283,184
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,744	1,735
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	$0	$0

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Trade receivables, allowance	$2,343	$1,345
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	170,000,000	170,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,700,000,000	1,700,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	174,388,132	173,452,896
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	174,388,132	173,452,896
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$910,989	$857,467	$837,926	$830,223	$679,311	$638,518	$615,990	$608,244		$3,436,605	$2,503,487	$2,175,374
Net sales to related parties											0	37,063	109,513
Transitional sales fees											0	1,513	4,551
Total net sales											3,436,605	2,542,063	2,289,438
Cost of sales											2,283,441	1,634,646	1,485,494
Gross profit		301,934	292,756	285,260	273,214	238,209	226,452	224,213	218,543		1,153,164	907,417	803,944
Related party license income											0	0	36,034
Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution and marketing											621,866	528,233	492,130
General and administrative											265,678	197,526	167,595
Asset disposal and exit costs											-1,066	24,226	0
Total operating expenses											886,478	749,985	659,725
Operating income (loss)											266,686	157,432	180,253
Other expense (income):
Interest expense											36,972	18,027	9,924
Other expense (income), net											5,266	-3,829	957
Total other expense											42,238	14,198	10,881
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											224,448	143,234	169,372
Income tax expense											78,279	44,193	56,858
Loss in equity method investments											5,984	0	0
Income from continuing operations		32,561	40,857	34,407	32,360	19,541	24,293	31,209	23,998		140,185	99,041	112,514
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax											0	0	403
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax											0	0	2,056
Net income		32,561	40,857	34,407	32,360	19,541	24,293	31,209	23,998		140,185	99,041	114,973
Net (income) attributable to non-controlling interest											0	0	-1,279
Net income (loss)	$18,086									$95,608	$140,185	$99,041	$113,694
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)											174,013,700	173,120,689	153,770,492
Diluted (in shares)											177,949,916	174,581,468	153,770,497
Basic earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)											$0.81	$0.57	$0.73
Net discontinued operations (in dollars per share)											$0	$0	$0.01
Net income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company (in dollars per share)		$0.19	$0.23	$0.20	$0.19	$0.11	$0.14	$0.18	$0.14		$0.81	$0.57	$0.74
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)											$0.79	$0.57	$0.73
Net discontinued operations (in dollars per share)											$0	$0	$0.01
Net income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company (in dollars per share)		$0.18	$0.23	$0.19	$0.18	$0.11	$0.14	$0.18	$0.14		$0.79	$0.57	$0.74

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$140,185	$99,041	$114,973
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Change in defined benefit pension plan, net of tax of $640, ($480) and $506	-1,257	1,025	-999
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-51,990	17,724	10,199
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax of ($234), ($316) and $286	569	499	-553
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-52,678	19,248	8,647
Comprehensive income	87,507	118,289	123,620
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	-1,279
Comprehensive income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	$87,507	$118,289	$122,341

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Tax effect on Change in minimum pension liability - (expense) / benefit	$640	($480)	$506
Tax effect due to Change in fair value of derivative instruments - (expense) / benefit	($234)	($316)	$286

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (USD $)	Total	Stock Held by Dean Foods [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Dean Foods Net Investment [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Common Stock - Class A [Member]	Common Stock - Class A [Member]	Common Stock - Class A [Member]	Common Stock - Class B [Member]	Common Stock - Class B [Member]	Common Stock - Class B [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)		Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]		Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]
									USD ($)	Stock Held by Dean Foods [Member]		USD ($)	Stock Held by Dean Foods [Member]
										USD ($)			USD ($)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$1,140,686			$0	$1,172,254
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	95,608				95,608
Ending balance at Oct. 31, 2012
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,140,686		0	0	1,172,254	-36,335	4,767		0			0
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011									0			0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	113,694
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	1,279						1,279
Change in Dean Foods’ net investment	-850,373				-850,373		0
Share-based compensation	7,473				7,473
Issuance of common stock in connection with the initial public offering, net of offering costs (in shares)									23,000,000
Issuance of common stock in connection with the initial public offering, net of offering costs	367,540		367,310						230
Conversion of common stock	0		423,462		-424,962							1,500
Conversion of Dean Foods’ net investment into common stock (in shares)												150,000,000
Share-based compensation post-initial public offering	2,056		2,056
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest	1,932						1,932
Distribution to non-controlling interest due to wind-down of joint venture	-7,978						-7,978
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	8,647					8,647
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	784,956		792,828		0	-27,688	0		230			1,500
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012									23,000,000			150,000,000
Beginning balance at Oct. 31, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	18,086			18,086
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	784,956		792,828	18,086		-27,688			230			1,500
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012									23,000,000			150,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	99,041			99,041
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	0
Tax shortfall from share-based compensation	-463		-463
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of Share-based compensation (in shares)									453,586
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation	263		258						5
Share-based compensation	18,931		18,931
Contributions to equity	39,463		39,463
Conversion of common stock (in shares)									67,913,310	82,086,000		-67,913,310	-82,086,000
Conversion of common stock	0	0							679	821		-679	-821
Cancellation of shares (in shares)												-690
Cancellation of shares	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	19,248					19,248
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	961,439		851,017	117,127	0	-8,440	0		1,735			0
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013								173,452,896	173,452,896		0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	140,185			140,185
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	0
Tax shortfall from share-based compensation	4,282		4,282
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of Share-based compensation (in shares)									935,236
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation	3,101		3,092						9
Share-based compensation	26,648		26,648
Minimum tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units (Note 13)	-7,446		-7,446
Conversion of phantom shares into restricted stock units (Note 13)	956		956
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-52,678					-52,678
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$1,076,487		$878,549	$257,312	$0	($61,118)	$0		$1,744			$0
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014								174,388,132	174,388,132		0	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$140,185	$99,041	$114,973
(Income) from discontinued operations	0	0	-2,056
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net	0	0	-403
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	110,567	81,905	74,354
Share-based compensation expense	26,648	18,931	9,529
Amortization of debt issuance costs	3,173	2,414	1,030
Loss on disposals and other, net	2,914	20,018	8,617
Deferred income taxes	6,184	-45	-822
Mark-to-market on derivative instruments	15,159	-3,410	1,151
Loss in equity method investments	5,984	0	0
Other	-1,282	-1,933	3,131
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition/divestitures	-24,919	-31,980	29,588
Trade receivables, net	-4,310	-46,192	-2,419
Related party receivables	0	17,912	-6,827
Inventories	-17,866	-7,964	-18,509
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-4,037	-2,951	1,017
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other long-term liabilities	29,783	8,695	46,039
Income taxes payable	-28,489	-1,480	10,287
Net cash provided by operating activities — continuing operations	284,613	184,941	239,092
Net cash used in operating activities — discontinued operations	0	0	-2,571
Net cash provided by operating activities	284,613	184,941	236,521
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in equity method investments	-50,285	0	0
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $7,190	-798,446	0	0
Payments for property, plant, and equipment	-292,357	-131,769	-102,931
Proceeds from recoveries	0	0	3,356
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	464	92,352	1,490
Net cash used in investing activities — continuing operations	-1,140,624	-39,417	-98,085
Net cash provided by investing activities — discontinued operations	0	0	5,900
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,140,624	-39,417	-92,185
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs	0	0	367,540
Proceeds from the issuance of Term A-1 and Term A-2 facilities	0	0	500,000
Repayment of intercompany notes to Dean Foods	0	0	-1,155,000
Distributions to Dean Foods, net	0	-871	-130,844
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	1,025,000	0	0
Repayment of debt	-15,000	-15,000	0
Payments of capital lease obligations	-1,044	0	0
Proceeds from revolver line of credit	625,400	624,150	519,200
Payments on revolver line of credit	-803,050	-727,050	-238,650
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility	0	0	150,735
Payments on receivables-backed facility	0	0	-166,650
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,092	1,298	0
Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units	-7,446	0	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	4,466	515	0
Payment of deferred financing costs	-18,200	-16	-12,403
Capital contribution from (distribution to) non-controlling interest	0	0	-6,046
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities — continuing operations	813,218	-116,974	-172,118
Net cash used in financing activities — discontinued operations	0	0	-269
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	813,218	-116,974	-172,387
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-8,072	3,182	437
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-50,865	31,732	-27,614
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	101,105	69,373	96,987
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	50,240	101,105	69,373
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid for interest and financing charges, net of capitalized interest	25,864	16,556	15,217
Cash paid for taxes	94,089	47,063	45,302
Non-cash activity — Note received as consideration in sale of inventory	0	6,422	0
Non-cash activity — Unpaid purchases of plant and equipment	33,500	23,710	0
Non-cash activity — Conversion of phantom shares to restricted stock units	956	0	0
Non-cash activity — Distribution to Dean Foods	0	27,773	0
Non-cash activity — Contribution from Dean Foods	0	10,797	0
Non-cash activity — Settlement of allocated portion of Dean Foods’ debt	0	0	440,255
Non-cash activity — Contribution by Dean Foods in exchange for Class B common stock	0	0	424,962
Non-cash activity — Novation of Dean Foods’ interest rate swap liabilities	0	0	68,858
Non-cash activity — Issuance of intercompany notes to Dean Foods	$0	$0	$1,155,000

Business_and_Basis_of_Presenta

Business and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business and Basis of Presentation	Business and Basis of Presentation
	Business
	We are a leading consumer packaged food and beverage company focused on high-growth product categories that are aligned with emerging consumer trends. We manufacture, market, distribute, and sell branded plant-based foods and beverages, salads, fruits and vegetables, coffee creamers and beverages, and premium dairy products throughout North America and Europe. Our brands distributed in North America include Silk and So Delicious plant-based foods and beverages, Earthbound Farm salads, fruits and vegetables, International Delight and LAND O LAKES coffee creamers and beverages, and Horizon Organic premium dairy products and branded macaroni and cheese and snack foods, while our European brands of plant-based foods and beverages include Alpro and Provamel.
	Formation of the Company and Initial Public Offering
	WWF Operating Company (“WWF Opco”) was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Foods Company (“Dean Foods”). Prior to completion of our initial public offering, WWF Opco held substantially all of the historical assets and liabilities related to the business that we acquired pursuant to the transactions described below.
	The WhiteWave Foods Company was incorporated on July 17, 2012 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Foods to acquire the capital stock of WWF Opco. The Company had nominal assets and no liabilities, and conducted no operations prior to the completion of our initial public offering.
	Basis of Presentation
	The contribution of WWF Opco to WhiteWave was treated as a reorganization of entities under common control under Dean Foods. As a result, we retrospectively presented the consolidated financial position and results of operations of WhiteWave and WWF Opco for 2012.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting principally of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
	For periods prior to the completion of our initial public offering on October 31, 2012, our consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a stand-alone basis and derived from Dean Foods’ consolidated financial statements and accounting records using the historical results of operations and assets and liabilities attributed to our operations, and include allocations of expenses from Dean Foods. Our consolidated and segment results of 2012 are not necessarily indicative of our future performance and do not reflect what our financial performance would have been had we been a stand-alone public company during that period.
	Prior to completion of our initial public offering, Dean Foods provided certain corporate services to us, and costs associated with these functions were allocated to us. These allocations include costs related to corporate services, such as executive management, supply chain, information technology, legal, finance and accounting, investor relations, human resources, risk management, tax, treasury, and other services, as well as related stock-based compensation expense. The costs of such services were allocated to us based on the most relevant allocation method to the service provided, primarily based on relative percentage of total net sales, relative percentage of headcount, or specific identification. The total amount of these allocations from Dean Foods was approximately $50.7 million from January 1, 2012 to the date of our initial public offering (which includes $17.5 million of transaction costs related to our initial public offering). Upon completion of our initial public offering, we assumed responsibility for the cost of these functions. In 2012, Dean Foods charged us $5.4 million and we charged Dean Foods $2.6 million in transitional costs. In 2013, Dean Foods charged us $19.0 million and we charged Dean Foods $3.0 million in transitional costs. In 2014, Dean Foods charged us $2.2 million and we charged Dean Foods $0.7 million in transitional costs. As of December 31, 2014, transitional services were no longer being provided by Dean Foods.
	The allocations for 2012 may not reflect the expense we would have incurred as a stand-alone public company for that period. Actual costs that may have been incurred if we had been a stand-alone public company would depend on a number of factors, including the chosen organizational structure, what functions were outsourced or performed by employees, and strategic decisions made in certain areas.
	Prior to completion of our initial public offering, total equity represented Dean Foods’ interest in our recorded net assets. Dean Foods’ net investment balance represented the cumulative net investment by Dean Foods in us through October 31, 2012, including any prior net income or loss or other comprehensive income or loss attributed to us and contributions received from or distributions made to Dean Foods. Certain transactions between us and other related parties that are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dean Foods, including allocated expenses and settlement of intercompany transactions, were also included in Dean Foods’ net investment.
	We were allocated a portion of Dean Foods’ consolidated debt based on amounts directly incurred by us to fund the acquisition of Alpro in July 2009. Prior to completion of our initial public offering, interest expense had been allocated based on the historical interest rates of the Dean Foods senior secured credit facility during each period presented, as this revolver was drawn to fund the Alpro acquisition. Debt issuance costs were allocated in the same proportion as the debt. In connection with our initial public offering, the allocated portion of the Dean Foods senior secured credit facility was settled as a contribution to our capital from Dean Foods. Management believes the basis of historical allocation for debt, interest expense, and debt issuance costs was reasonable. However, these amounts may not be indicative of the actual amounts that we would have incurred had we been a stand-alone public company for the periods presented. See Note 11 “Debt and Capital Lease Obligations.”
	Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation in the audited consolidated statements of shareholders' equity, audited consolidated statements of cash flows, Note 9 "Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses," Note 13 “Share-Based Compensation," Note 17 “Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information” and Note 20 "Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information." These reclassifications did not impact previously reported amounts on the Company’s audited consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and statements of cash flows.
	Completion of Spin-Off from Dean Foods
	On May 23, 2013, Dean Foods distributed (the “Distribution”) to its stockholders an aggregate of 47,686,000 shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A common stock”), and 67,914,000 shares of our Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class B common stock”), as a pro rata dividend to Dean Foods stockholders at the close of business on May 17, 2013, the record date for the Distribution. Effective upon the Distribution, and in accordance with the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we reduced the number of votes per share of our Class B common stock with respect to all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, other than the election and removal of directors, to one vote per share.
	Prior to the Distribution, Dean Foods converted 82,086,000 shares of our Class B common stock into 82,086,000 shares of our Class A common stock in accordance with the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, of which 47,686,000 shares of Class A common stock were distributed to Dean Foods stockholders in the Distribution. As a result of and immediately after the Distribution, Dean Foods owned 34,400,000 shares of our Class A Common stock and no shares of our Class B common stock. Under the terms of the separation and distribution agreement, Dean Foods was required to dispose of any remaining ownership interest in us within three years of the Distribution, or May 23, 2016. On July 25, 2013 Dean Foods disposed of all of its remaining 34,400,000 shares of our Class A common stock in a registered public offering. We did not receive any proceeds from this offering. As a result of and immediately after the closing of this offering, Dean Foods no longer owned any shares of our common stock and had no ownership interest in us.
	Common Stock Class Conversion
	On September 24, 2013, the Company’s stockholders approved the conversion of all of the 67,913,310 outstanding shares of the Company’s Class B common stock into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.
	The conversion had no impact on the economic interests of the holders of Class A common stock and the former holders of Class B common stock. The conversion had no impact on the total issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock although it increased the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding in an amount equivalent to the number of shares of Class B common stock outstanding immediately prior to the conversion.
	Effective May 15, 2014, the Company amended its charter to change the classification of its Class A common stock to common stock. As a result, the Company has one class of capital stock outstanding called "common stock."

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Consolidation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and reflect the elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. Our former investment in a variable interest entity of which we were the primary beneficiary is also consolidated. We reflected the remaining portion of the variable interest entity that is not wholly-owned as non-controlling interest related to our Hero Group (“Hero”) joint venture.
	All sales and financing transactions with Dean Foods and its subsidiaries are considered to be settled for cash in the consolidated statement of cash flows at the time the transaction is recorded for periods prior to completion of our initial public offering. All transactions and balances between us and other wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dean Foods are reported in the consolidated financial statements.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to use our judgment to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, cash is comprised of cash held in bank accounts. We consider temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Our products are valued using the first-in, first-out method. The costs of finished goods inventories include raw materials, direct labor, indirect production, and overhead costs. Reserves for obsolete or excess inventory are not material.
	Property, Plant, and Equipment
	Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost, plus capitalized interest on borrowings during the actual construction period of major capital projects. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance that do not improve or extend the life of the assets are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
	Asset	Useful life
	Buildings	15 to 40 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 20 years
	Computer software	3 to 8 years
	Leasehold improvements	Over the shorter of the term of the applicable lease agreement or useful life
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Our goodwill and identifiable intangible assets have resulted from acquisitions. Upon acquisition, the purchase price is first allocated to identifiable assets and liabilities, including customer-related intangible assets and trademarks, with any remaining purchase price recorded as goodwill. Goodwill and trademarks with indefinite lives are not amortized.
	A trademark is determined to have an indefinite life if it has a history of strong sales and cash flow performance that we expect to continue for the foreseeable future. If these perpetual trademark criteria are not met, the trademarks are amortized over their expected useful lives. Determining the expected life of a trademark is based on a number of factors including the competitive environment, trademark history, and anticipated future trademark support.
	Identifiable intangible assets, other than indefinite-lived trademarks, are typically amortized over the following range of estimated useful lives:
	Asset	Useful life
	Customer lists and relationships	3 to 15 years
	Finite-lived trademarks	5 to 15 years
	Impairment
	In accordance with accounting standards related to goodwill and other intangibles assets, we do not amortize goodwill and other intangible assets determined to have indefinite useful lives. Instead, we conduct impairment tests on our goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks annually in the fourth quarter and on an interim basis when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Our reporting units are based on our operating segments.
	A quantitative assessment of goodwill was performed in 2014 and a qualitative assessment of goodwill was performed in 2013 and 2012. We assessed economic conditions and industry and market considerations, in addition to the overall financial performance of each of our reporting units. Based on the results of our assessment, we determined that it was not more likely than not that any of our reporting units had a carrying value in excess of its fair value. Accordingly, no further goodwill impairment testing was completed. We did not recognize any impairment charges related to goodwill during 2014, 2013, or 2012.
	A qualitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangibles was performed during 2014 and 2013. In 2012, a quantitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangibles was performed. We assessed economic conditions and industry and market considerations, in addition to the overall financial performance of each trade name. Based on the results of our assessment, we determined that it was not more likely than not that any of our trade names had a carrying value in excess of its fair value. Accordingly, no further indefinite-lived intangibles impairment testing was completed. We did not recognize any impairment charges related to indefinite-lived intangibles during 2014, 2013, or 2012.
	Long-lived assets, including property, plant, and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and prior to any goodwill impairment test. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. There were no indicators of impairment in 2014 or 2013, apart from our asset exit and disposal activities recorded in 2013. See Note 3 “Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture.”
	Equity Method Investments
	Consolidated net income includes the Company's proportionate share of the net income or loss of the companies in which we have invested. The carry values of our equity method investments are increased or decreased by our proportionate share of the net income or loss and other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI") of these companies.
	Employee Benefit Plans
	Prior to the Distribution, we participated in Dean Foods’ consolidated defined contribution plan and contributed to a multiemployer pension plan on behalf of some of our employees. Effective upon the Distribution, the Company implemented its own substantially similar employee benefit plans and our employees are no longer eligible to participate in Dean Foods’ plans. We also have three separate, stand-alone defined benefit pension plans as a result of the acquisition of Alpro on July 2, 2009, and we contribute to one multiemployer pension plan on behalf of certain of our North America employees.
	We recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit pension plans as an asset or liability on our consolidated balance sheets and recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which changes occur, through accumulated other comprehensive loss. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligation (the projected benefit obligation for pension plans). Actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits that have not been recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost previously are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Plan assets and obligations are measured as of December 31 of each year. See Note 15 “Employee Retirement Plans.”
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	We use derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging commercial risk exposures to fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates and raw materials purchasing. Our derivative instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. For a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s mark to fair value is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged item is settled. The ineffective portion of the mark to fair value associated with all hedges is reported in earnings immediately. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are marked to fair value with gains and losses immediately recorded in earnings. In the consolidated statements of income, derivative activities are classified based on the nature of the items being hedged.
	Share-Based Compensation
	On August 7, 2012, the Dean Foods Compensation Committee, the Dean Foods board of directors, and our board of directors approved the terms of our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 SIP”). 20 million shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2012 SIP upon the exercise of future stock options, restricted stock units, or restricted stock that will be issued under our employee benefit plans. The purpose of the plan is to attract and retain non-employee directors, executive personnel, other key employees and consultants, motivate them by means of performance related incentives, and enable them to participate in our growth and financial success. Eligibility to participate in the 2012 SIP is limited to our employees (including officers and directors who are employees), non-employee directors, and consultants, and employees, non-employee directors, and consultants of our subsidiaries.
	Share-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period based on the grant date fair value. The fair value of option awards is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of the grant. Compensation expense is recognized only for equity awards expected to vest. Share-based compensation expense is included within general and administrative expenses.
	Pursuant to the SIP and in connection with our initial public offering, the Company granted equity to certain of our executive officers and employees (the “IPO Grants”). Prior to the Distribution, certain of the Company’s employees participated in share-based compensation plans sponsored by Dean Foods. These plans provided employees with RSUs, options to purchase shares of Dean Foods’ common stock, and other stock-based awards. Given that the Company’s employees directly benefit from participation in these plans, the expense incurred by Dean Foods for stock and options granted specifically to our employees has been reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. These amounts were based on the awards and terms previously granted to our employees, but may not reflect the equity awards or results that we would have experienced as a stand-alone public company. No new grants of Dean Foods’ equity were made to our employees after completion of our initial public offering.
	On May 23, 2013 and in connection with the Distribution, all Dean Foods equity-based awards held by 162 of our non-employee directors and employees were converted into equity-based awards with respect to our Class A common stock. See Note 13 “Share-Based Compensation" for further discussion.
	Revenue Recognition, Sales Incentives and Trade Accounts Receivable
	Sales are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the product has been delivered to the customer, and there is a reasonable assurance of collection of the sales proceeds. Sales are recorded net of allowances for returns, trade promotions, and other discounts. We routinely offer sales incentives and discounts through various regional and national programs to our customers and to consumers. These programs include rebates, shelf-price reductions, in-store display incentives, coupons, and other trade promotional activities. These programs, as well as amounts paid to customers for shelf-space in retail stores, are considered reductions in the price of our products and thus are recorded as reductions to gross sales. Some of these incentives are recorded by estimating incentive costs based on our historical experience and expected levels of performance of the trade promotion. We maintain allowances at the end of each period for the estimated incentive costs incurred but unpaid for these programs, which are recorded as a reduction in our trade accounts receivable balance. Differences between estimated and actual incentive costs are normally not material and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined.
	We generally provide credit terms to customers of net 10 days, from invoice date in the U.S. In Europe, however, terms vary by country. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and maintain allowances for potential credit losses based on our historical experience. Bad debt expense associated with uncollectible accounts for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was immaterial. Estimated product returns historically have not been material.
	Related Party Sales and Transitional Sales Fees
	Sales to wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dean Foods of raw materials and the finished products that we manufacture have been reflected as related party sales in our consolidated statements of income through the Distribution date.
	In connection with our initial public offering, we entered into an agreement with Morningstar Foods, LLC (“Morningstar”), pursuant to which it transferred back to us responsibility for its sales and associated costs of certain WhiteWave products. Morningstar remitted to us the cash representing the net profit collected from these product sales until such time as the sales were transitioned to us. The net effect of the agreement is reflected as transitional sales fees in our consolidated statements of income. We also entered into an agreement with Morningstar pursuant to which we transferred to Morningstar responsibility for the sales and associated costs of our aerosol whipped topping and other non-core products. During this transition, we provided certain services to Morningstar which included, but were not limited to, taking and filling orders, collecting receivables and shipping products to customers. We remitted to Morningstar the net profit associated with these product sales until the sales transitioned to Morningstar. See Note 4 “Transactions with Morningstar Foods, LLC.”
	Cost of Goods Sold
	Cost of goods sold represents the costs directly related to the manufacturing, farming and distribution of the Company’s products and primarily includes raw materials, packaging, co-packer fees, shipping and handling, warehousing, package design, depreciation, amortization, royalties, direct and indirect labor and operating costs for the Company’s manufacturing, farming and distribution.
	Advertising Expense
	We market our products through advertising and other promotional activities, including media and agency. Advertising expense is charged to income during the period incurred, except for expenses related to the development of a major commercial or media campaign which are charged to income during the period in which the advertisement or campaign is first presented to the public. Advertising expense totaled $194.4 million, $169.5 million, and $172.6 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, and is included in selling, distribution and marketing in our consolidated statements of income. Prepaid advertising was $1.7 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Shipping and Handling Fees
	Our shipping and handling costs are included in both cost of sales and selling, distribution and marketing expense, depending on the nature of such costs. In cost of sales, we include inventory warehouse costs and product loading and handling costs at Company-owned facilities. Costs associated with shipping products to customers through third-party carriers and third-party inventory warehouse costs are included in selling, distribution and marketing expense and totaled $279.6 million, $247.5 million, and $214.1 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Insurance Accruals
	We retain selected levels of property and casualty risks, employee health care and other casualty losses. Many of these potential losses are covered under conventional insurance programs with third-party carriers with high deductible limits. In other areas, we are self-insured with stop-loss coverage. Accrued liabilities for incurred but not reported losses related to these retained risks are calculated based upon loss development factors which contemplate a number of factors including claims history and expected trends. These loss development factors are developed in consultation with external insurance brokers and actuaries.
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded accrued liabilities related to these retained risks in the amounts of $7.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively, including both current and long-term liabilities.
	Research and Development
	Our research and development activities primarily consist of generating and testing new product concepts, new flavors, and packaging and are primarily internal. We expense research and development costs as incurred and they primarily relate to compensation, facility costs and purchased research and development services, materials and supplies. Our total research and development expense was $15.6 million, $13.4 million, and $12.3 million for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Research and development costs are included in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. Dollars. The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is generally the local currency of the country. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. Dollars at period-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at the average rates prevailing during the period. Changes in exchange rates that affect cash flows and the related receivables or payables are recognized as transaction gains and losses. Our transaction gains and losses are reflected in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations. The cumulative translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reflects the unrealized adjustments resulting from translating the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries.
	Income Taxes
	We account for deferred income taxes based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. We also recognize deferred tax assets for operating loss and other tax carryforwards. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized.
	We record a liability for uncertain tax positions to the extent a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return does not meet certain recognition or measurement criteria. We apply a more likely than not threshold to the recognition and derecognition of uncertain tax positions. Accordingly, we recognize the amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being ultimately realized upon settlement. Future changes in judgment related to the expected ultimate resolution of uncertain tax positions will affect earnings in the quarter of such change. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements. We recognize interest related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, are recorded in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of income.
	For periods prior to the Distribution, our income tax provision was prepared on a separate return basis as if the Company was a stand-alone entity. Prior to the Distribution, the Company was included in the Dean Foods’ U.S. consolidated federal income tax return and also filed some state income tax returns on a combined basis with Dean Foods. For periods subsequent to the Distribution, the Company is filing its own U.S. federal and state income tax returns. In addition, as a result of being included in the Dean Foods’ U.S. consolidated federal income tax return and Dean Foods’ payment of domestic taxes, federal and state current income taxes payable for periods prior to the completion of our initial public offering on October 31, 2012, are included in Dean Foods’ net investment in the Company’s consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity. Foreign income tax liabilities are paid by the Company and therefore are included in income taxes payable in the consolidated balance sheets. As part of the tax matters agreement with Dean Foods, the Company has agreed to reimburse Dean Foods and Dean Foods has agreed to reimburse the Company, as applicable, for any pre-Distribution tax liabilities that may be redetermined by a taxing authority in the future to the extent the redetermination relates to the other company's business.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items, to eliminate from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. This guidance applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption will not have an impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, to provide guidance on management's responsibility to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related disclosure requirements. This guidance applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The adoption will not have an impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606, to clarify the principles used to recognize revenue for all entities. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, to change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and modify related disclosure requirements. The new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for the Company beginning with its Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2015. We will evaluate the effects, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. ASU 2013-11 requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with certain exceptions. ASU 2013-11 is effective for the Company in the period beginning January 1, 2014. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2014 and its adoption had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-5, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830), clarifying the applicable guidance for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment. ASU 2013-5 is effective for the Company in the period beginning January 1, 2014. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2014 and its adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations, Discontinued Operations, and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture	Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture
	Acquisitions
	Earthbound Farm
	On January 2, 2014, the Company acquired Earthbound Farm, one of the largest organic produce brands in North America, from the existing shareholders in accordance with an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated December 8, 2013. The acquisition adds to our focus on high-growth product categories that are aligned with emerging customer trends. The total consideration for the acquisition was approximately $608.7 million in cash. The acquisition was funded by approximately $615 million in borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities. See Note 11 “Debt and Capital Lease Obligations.”
	The acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition have been recorded at their fair values. The fair values were determined by management based in part on an independent valuation of assets acquired, which includes intangible assets of $255.6 million. Intangible assets subject to amortization of $104.9 million are being amortized over a weighted average period of 15 years and relate primarily to customer and supplier relationships. We have completed the purchase price allocation related to the Earthbound acquisition, however, certain negotiations regarding the purchase price are ongoing. Any future adjustments to the final purchase price will be recorded in earnings.
	Earthbound Farm’s results of operations have been included in our statements of income and the results of operations of our Americas Fresh Foods segment from the date of acquisition. See Note 17 "Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information."
	The following table summarizes allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
		January 2, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Assets acquired:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,638
	Inventories	22,299
	Other current assets	54,260
	Property, plant and equipment	147,390
	Trademarks	150,700
	Intangible assets with finite lives	104,900
	Liabilities assumed:
	Accounts payable and other accruals	58,328
	Deferred taxes	26,857
	Obligations under capital leases	22,646
	Total identifiable net assets	377,356
	Goodwill	231,309
	Total purchase price	$	608,665
	Goodwill is calculated as the excess of consideration paid over the net assets acquired and represents synergies, organic growth and other benefits that are expected to arise from integrating the Earthbound Farm assets into our operations. Goodwill was recorded in the Americas Fresh Foods segment. The amount of goodwill expected to be tax deductible is approximately $88.4 million.
	For the year ended December 31, 2014, the acquisition of Earthbound Farm increased our net sales by $575.3 million and our operating income by $47.7 million. In connection with the acquisition of Earthbound Farm, we incurred $6.8 million and $3.3 million in expenses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to due diligence, investment advisors and regulatory matters. These acquisition costs and other non-recurring charges are included in the earliest period presented in the below table. These costs are included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of income in the periods in which they were incurred. These expenses have not been allocated to our segments and are reflected entirely within corporate and other.
	The following table summarizes unaudited supplemental pro forma consolidated results of operations as if we acquired Earthbound Farm on January 1, 2012:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014		2013			2012
		(In thousands, except share data)
	Net sales	$	3,436,605	$	3,075,737		$	2,767,749
	Operating income	273,844		201,602			180,890
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.83	$	0.72		$	0.71
	The historical financial information has been adjusted to give effect to the pro forma adjustments. These adjustments are based upon currently available information and certain assumptions. Therefore, the pro forma consolidated results are not necessarily indicative of what the Company’s consolidated results of operations actually would have been had it completed the acquisition on January 1, 2012. The diluted earnings per share in 2014, 2013 and 2012 reflects pro forma tax adjustments that do not include income tax expense on historical Earthbound Farm income from continuing operations because Earthbound Farm was classified as a partnership for income tax purposes. The historical results included in the pro forma consolidated results do not purport to project future results of operations of the combined company nor do they reflect the expected realization of any cost savings or revenue synergies associated with the acquisition. The pro forma consolidated results reflect purchase accounting adjustments primarily related to cost of goods sold, depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense and tax expense.
	So Delicious Dairy Free
	On October 31, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of the company that owns So Delicious® Dairy Free ("So Delicious") from its existing shareholders for total consideration of approximately $197.0 million in cash. So Delicious manufactures, markets and distributes plant-based beverages, creamers, cultured products and frozen desserts and is based in Springfield, Oregon. So Delicious’ results of operations have been included in our statements of income and the results of operations of our Americas Foods & Beverages segment from the date of acquisition.
	The acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition have been recorded at their fair values. The fair values were determined by management based in part on an independent valuation of assets acquired, which includes intangible assets of $82.1 million. Intangible assets subject to amortization of $28.9 million are being amortized over a weighted average period of 15 years and relate primarily to customer and supplier relationships. Certain estimated values for the So Delicious acquisition are not yet finalized pending the final settlement of the purchase price and purchase price allocations and are subject to change as additional information is obtained. We expect to finalize the allocation of the purchase price in 2015.
	The following table summarizes allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The allocation of the purchase price in the table below is preliminary and subject to change based on the finalization of the purchase price.
		October 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Assets acquired:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,552
	Inventories	22,145
	Other current assets	9,727
	Property, plant and equipment	8,613
	Trademarks	53,216
	Intangible assets with finite lives	28,865
	Liabilities assumed:
	Accounts payable and other accruals	11,683
	Obligations under capital leases	321
	Total identifiable net assets	112,114
	Goodwill	84,857
	Total purchase price	$	196,971
	Goodwill is calculated as the excess of consideration paid over the net assets acquired and represents synergies, organic growth and other benefits that are expected to arise from integrating the So Delicious assets into our operations. Goodwill was recorded in the Americas Foods & Beverages segment. All of the goodwill is tax deductible.
	For the year ended December 31, 2014, the acquisition of So Delicious increased our net sales by $22.7 million and our operating income by $2.5 million. In connection with the acquisition of So Delicious, we incurred $5.3 million in expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively, related to due diligence, investment advisors and regulatory matters. These costs are included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of income in the periods in which they were incurred. These expenses have not been allocated to our segments and are reflected entirely within corporate and other.
	Divestitures
	SoFine
	On March 31, 2014, we completed the sale of SoFine Foods BV (“SoFine”), a wholly-owned subsidiary that operated a soy-based meat-alternatives business in the Netherlands. Management’s intention to pursue a sale was based on the strategic decision to exit this non-core business of the Europe Foods & Beverages segment. In the fourth quarter of 2013, a write-down of $9.8 million was recorded and included in operating expenses in our financial statements. SoFine’s assets and liabilities were included in the Europe Foods & Beverages segment and the fair value was determined based on the estimated selling price, less cost to sell.
	Idaho Dairy Farm
	In 2013, management approved a plan to sell the assets of its dairy farm located in Idaho which was completed in the fourth quarter of 2013. Management’s decision to sell the Idaho dairy farm was based on the strategic decision to focus on North America’s core processing, marketing and distribution capabilities. In conjunction with the sale of the Idaho dairy farm, we recorded an impairment charge of $11.1 million included in asset disposal and exit costs in our financial statements. Cash received at the time of sale in the fourth quarter of 2013 was $31.0 million, net of disposal costs. In addition, we recorded a note receivable for $6.4 million which was fully collected by the second quarter of 2014.
	In addition to the impairment charge, we recorded a charge of $3.3 million related to lease liabilities, severance and related costs in connection with the Idaho dairy farm sale. Liabilities recorded and the changes therein for the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
		Accrued charges at December 31, 2013		Costs paid or otherwise settled			Reversal of prior expense			Accrued charges at December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Lease liability	$	2,674	$	(2,192	)	$	(482	)	$	—
	Severance and related costs	632		(598		)	(34		)	—
Total	$	3,306	$	(2,790	)	$	(516	)	$	—
Joint Venture
On January 5, 2014, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited (“Mengniu”), a leading Chinese dairy company. The joint venture manufactures, markets and sells a range of premium plant-based beverage products and other nutritious products in China. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company owns a 49% stake in the venture while Mengniu owns a 51% stake. In the second quarter of 2014, the joint venture completed its purchase of Yashili Zhengzhou (“Zhengzhou”), a subsidiary of Yashili International Holdings, Ltd (“Yashili”). Zhengzhou’s primary asset is a production facility in China, where the joint venture manufactures its products. Mengniu was the majority owner of Yashili. The purchase price for Zhengzhou was approximately $80.9 million (RMB 504 million), including $60.3 million (RMB 376.7 million) for the purchase of equity and the balance for the repayment and assumption of debt and other obligations. Each joint venture party’s share of the purchase price for Zhengzhou was consistent with its ownership interest in the venture.
Based on the joint venture agreement, the Company has the ability to exert significant influence over the operations and financial policies of the joint venture and has in-substance common stock in the joint venture. Thus, the joint venture is accounted for as an equity-method investment. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we contributed $47.3 million of cash to the joint venture.
In connection with the formation of the joint venture, we incurred $0.3 million and $5.0 million in expenses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to due diligence, investment advisors and regulatory matters. The expenses have been recorded in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income and have not been allocated to our segments and are reflected entirely within corporate and other. In 2014, we incurred $5.7 million of corporate expenses related to management of our joint venture investment. The expenses have been recorded in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income and have not been allocated to our segments and are reflected entirely within corporate and other. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a loss in investment in equity method investments of $6.0 million.

Transactions_with_Morningstar_

Transactions with Morningstar Foods, LLC ("Morningstar")	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Transactions with Morningstar Foods, LLC ("Morningstar")	Transactions with Morningstar Foods, LLC (“Morningstar”)
	On January 3, 2013 Dean Foods sold its wholly-owned subsidiary Morningstar to an unaffiliated third party, and therefore was no longer considered a related party. In connection with this sale, we modified certain of the commercial agreements between us and Morningstar. These modifications, with the exception of the Morningstar Asset Purchase Agreement, are primarily timing modifications and did not have a material impact on our results of operations.
	Morningstar Asset Purchase Agreement
	In connection with Dean Foods’ sale of Morningstar, we terminated an option to purchase plant capacity and property at a Morningstar facility, sell to Morningstar certain manufacturing equipment used to produce certain WhiteWave products, and execute certain other transactions. The agreement was executed on December 2, 2012, but became effective on January 3, 2013, immediately prior to the completion of Dean Foods’ sale of Morningstar, and we received proceeds of $60 million as consideration. This transaction was accounted for as a contribution to equity and a purchase by Dean Foods. The proceeds were used to repay a portion of the outstanding balance under the senior secured credit facilities.
	Transitional Sales Agreements
	In connection with and effective as of our initial public offering, we entered into an agreement with Morningstar, a then wholly-owned Dean Foods subsidiary, pursuant to which Morningstar transferred back to us responsibility for sales and associated costs of certain WhiteWave products over a term of up to nine months after the completion of the Morningstar sale. During the year ended December 31, 2013, Morningstar provided certain transitional services to us which included, but were not limited to, taking and filling orders, collecting receivables, and shipping products to our customers. Morningstar remitted to us the cash representing the net profit collected from these product sales until such time as the sales transitioned to us. The net effect of the agreement is reflected as transitional sales fees of $1.5 million in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. The sales transition was substantially completed during the early part of the second quarter of 2013.
	We also entered into an agreement with Morningstar pursuant to which we transferred to Morningstar responsibility for the sales and associated costs of our aerosol whipped topping and other non-core products. Per the agreement, we provided certain transitional services to Morningstar which included, but were not limited to, taking and filling orders, collecting receivables and shipping products to customers. We remitted to Morningstar the net profit associated with these product sales until such time as the sales were transitioned to Morningstar. The net fees remitted for the year ended December 31, 2013 were $0.7 million. The services transition was substantially completed during the early part of the second quarter of 2013.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	Hero Joint Venture’s Discontinued Operations
	In the second quarter of 2011, we began evaluating strategic alternatives related to our joint venture with Hero. During the third quarter of 2011, due to continued poor performance by the venture and a desire on our part to invest in core operations, a recommendation was made to, and approved by, the joint venture partners to wind down the joint venture operations during the fourth quarter of 2011. In conjunction with this action plan, we wrote down the value of the joint venture's long-lived assets to fair value less costs to sell as of September 30, 2011.
	At the end of 2012, the Hero joint venture wind down was completed. Our Hero operations have been classified as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. The following is a summary of the operating results of our discontinued operations:
			Year ended December 31,
			2012
		(In thousands)
	Operations:
	Net sales		$	—
	Income before income taxes		2,559
	Income tax (expense)		(503		)
	Net income		2,056
	Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		1,279
	During 2012, Hero made cash contributions to the joint venture of $1.9 million. As part of the joint venture wind down in 2012, we made distributions of $8.0 million to Hero.
	Other Discontinued Operations
	During 2010, we committed to a plan to sell the business operations of Rachel’s, which provided organic branded dairy-based chilled yogurt, milk, and related dairy products primarily in the United Kingdom. In 2012, we recorded tax expense of $0.2 million related to the gain on sale of Rachel’s. This has been recorded in gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax, in our consolidated statements of income.
	In relation to other prior discontinued operations, we recorded a tax benefit in 2012 of $0.6 million due to the release of a liability for an uncertain tax position. This has been recorded in gain on sale of discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials and supplies	$	101,418	$	67,956
	Finished goods	114,251		90,613
	Total	$	215,669	$	158,569

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant, and Equipment	Property, Plant, and Equipment
	Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Land	$	51,408		$	38,968
	Buildings	408,617			295,057
	Machinery and equipment	909,457			696,513
	Leasehold improvements	15,058			10,136
	Construction in progress	122,919			59,584
		1,507,459			1,100,258
	Less accumulated depreciation	(514,252		)	(440,575		)
	Total	$	993,207		$	659,683
	Depreciation expense was $99.8 million, $79.0 million, and $71.8 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	For 2014, 2013, and 2012, we capitalized $1.5 million, $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, in interest related to borrowings during the actual construction period of major capital projects, which is included as part of the cost of the related asset.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Americas Foods & Beverages		Americas Fresh Foods			Europe Foods & Beverages			Total
		(In thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	600,316	$	—		$	165,270		$	765,586
	Foreign currency translation	—		—			6,757			6,757
	Balance at December 31, 2013	600,316		—			172,027			772,343
	Acquisition	84,857		231,309			—			316,166
	Foreign currency translation	—		—			(20,233		)	(20,233		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	685,173	$	231,309		$	151,794		$	1,068,276
	There were no impairment charges related to goodwill during 2014 or 2013 or since inception of the Company.
	The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets other than goodwill as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		December 31,
		2014								2013
		Gross		Accumulated			Net			Gross			Accumulated			Net
		carrying		amortization			carrying			carrying			amortization			carrying
		amount					amount			amount						amount
		(In thousands)
	Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
	Trademarks (1)	$	547,072	$	—		$	547,072		$	354,527		$	—		$	354,527
	Intangible assets with finite lives:
	Customer-related and other	158,302		(26,677		)	131,625			39,221			(17,826		)	21,395
	Supplier relationships	12,000		(960		)	11,040			—			—			—
	Non-compete agreements	600		(200		)	400			—			—			—
	Trademarks	968		(964		)	4			968			(963		)	5
	Total	$	718,942	$	(28,801	)	$	690,141		$	394,716		$	(18,789	)	$	375,927
	_____________________
	(1) The change in the carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite lives is the result of foreign currency translation adjustments as well as acquisitions.
	Amortization expense on finite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $10.7 million, $2.9 million, and $2.5 million, respectively. Estimated aggregate finite-lived intangible asset amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	12,050
	2016	11,731
	2017	11,521
	2018	11,491
	2019	10,354

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_E

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Accounts payable	$	297,140	$	238,525
	Payroll and benefits	77,726		60,276
	Derivative liability (Note 12)	27,448		18,889
	Other accrued liabilities	67,450		39,416
	Total	$	469,764	$	357,106

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes is comprised of the following:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Domestic	$	174,594			$	124,441			$	149,417
	Foreign	49,854				18,793				19,955
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	224,448			$	143,234			$	169,372
	Income tax expense consists of the following components:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012(1)
		(In thousands)
	Current income taxes:
	Federal	$	53,843			$	34,219			$	45,121
	State	9,750				7,937				8,581
	Foreign	8,502				2,082				2,394
	Total current income tax expense	72,095				44,238				56,096
	Deferred income taxes:
	Federal	3,629				2,072				3,454
	State	10				(1,990		)		(636		)
	Foreign	2,545				(127		)		(2,056		)
	Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)	6,184				(45		)		762
	Total income tax expense	$	78,279			$	44,193			$	56,858
	___________________________
	-1	Excludes $0.1 million in income tax expense related to discontinued operations.
	In 2013, the Company completed a number of transactions with Dean Foods under the tax matters agreement and in connection with the spin-off, including the transfer of deferred tax assets and liabilities prior to or at spin date. As a result of these transactions, $13.3 million of net distributions are reflected in contributions to equity in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity. In addition, $3.5 million of our income tax payable is reflected as a reduction to contributions to equity in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity as a result of being included in the Dean Foods’ U.S. consolidated federal income tax return, Dean Foods’ payment of domestic taxes through the IPO date, and the settlement of our 2012 tax sharing true-up payments with Dean Foods.
	A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Tax expense at statutory rate of 35%	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Foreign taxes versus U.S. statutory rate	(3.1	)%		(5.3	)%		(3.5	)%
	State income taxes	2.7	%		3.5	%		4	%
	U.S. manufacturing deduction	(2.1	)%		(2.4	)%		(2.1	)%
	Uncertain tax positions	1.7	%		(0.1	)%		(0.8	)%
	Non deductible transaction costs	0.5	%		0	%		2.7	%
	Deferred tax rate adjustments	(0.4	)%		(1.8	)%		(1.1	)%
	SoFine write-down	0	%		2.4	%		0	%
	Other	0.6	%		(0.4	)%		(0.6	)%
	Effective tax rate	34.9	%		30.9	%		33.6	%
	In the table above, the amounts for uncertain tax positions and deferred tax rate adjustments include amounts related to state and foreign income taxes.
	The tax effects of temporary differences giving rise to deferred income tax assets (liabilities) were:
		December 31,
		2014(1)				2013(2)
		(In thousands)
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	218			$	2,695
	Share-based compensation	23,415				21,630
	Derivative instruments	14,979				16,616
	Accrued liabilities	12,790				10,188
	Inventories	3,291				4,390
	Receivables	4,146				3,375
	Other	4,293				1,617
	Valuation allowances	(65		)		(126		)
	Total deferred income tax assets	63,067				60,385
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets	(163,548		)		(163,286		)
	Property, plant and equipment	(102,605		)		(108,276		)
	Partnership basis difference	(33,661		)		—
	Total deferred income tax liabilities	(299,814		)		(271,562		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(236,747	)		$	(211,177	)
	___________________________
	-1	Includes $2.0 million of deferred tax assets related to uncertain tax positions.
	-2	Includes $0.8 million of deferred tax assets related to uncertain tax positions.
	At December 31, 2014, we had $4.8 million of post-apportioned state net operating loss carryforwards, which begin to expire in 2018, and some of which were generated by certain subsidiaries prior to their acquisition. The use of pre-acquisition operating losses is subject to limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. We do not anticipate that these limitations will affect utilization of the carryforwards prior to their expiration. A valuation allowance of $0.1 million has been recorded against the state net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2014 because we do not believe it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets related to the state net operating loss carryforwards will be realized prior to expiration.
Our foreign subsidiaries are required to file local jurisdiction income tax returns with respect to their operations, the earnings from which are expected to be reinvested indefinitely. At December 31, 2014, no provision had been made for U.S. federal or state income tax on approximately $146.2 million of accumulated foreign earnings as they are considered to be permanently reinvested outside the U.S. Computation of the potential deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings and other basis differences is not practicable.
The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending gross unrecognized tax benefits, recorded in our consolidated balance sheets:
	2014				2013				2012
	(In thousands)
Balance at January 1	$	3,875			$	10,433			$	12,573
Increases in tax positions for current year	2,524				1,756				20
Increases in tax positions for prior years	2,332				1,562				459
Decreases in tax positions for prior years	—				(2,565		)		(608		)
Settlement of tax matters	(640		)		(5,992		)		(834		)
Lapse of applicable statutes of limitations	(556		)		(1,319		)		(1,177		)
Balance at December 31	$	7,535			$	3,875			$	10,433
The additions to unrecognized tax benefits are attributable to U.S. federal and state and foreign tax matters. The settlement of tax matters in 2013 is primarily from the closing of taxing authority examinations related to the Alpro acquisition in 2009, which was substantially offset by the use of adjustments associated with transfer pricing assets.
Of the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014, the entire amount would impact our effective tax rate when released. Any changes to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months is not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Income tax expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012 included interest expense (income), of $0.4 million, $0.1 million, and ($0.6) million, respectively. Our liability for uncertain tax positions included accrued interest of $0.6 million and $0.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Dean Foods’ U.S. federal income tax returns, in which we were included through the spin-off date in May 2013, have been audited through 2011. State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of three to five years after filing. Our foreign income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of one to five years after filing. We have various income tax returns in the process of examination, appeals or settlement.

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
		December 31,
		2014						2013
		Amount			Interest			Amount			Interest
		outstanding			rate			outstanding			rate
		(In thousands, except percentages)
	Senior secured credit facilities	$	995,000		2.11	%	*	$	662,650		1.76	%	*
	Senior unsecured notes	500,000			5.375	%		—
	Capital lease obligations	21,980						—
	Less current portion	(21,158		)				(15,000		)
	Total long-term debt	$	1,495,822					$	647,650
	___________________________
	*	Represents a weighted average rate, including applicable interest rate margins, for the senior secured revolving credit facility, Term Loan A-1, and Term Loan A-2.
	Senior Secured Credit Facilities
	On October 12, 2012, we entered into a credit agreement, among us, the subsidiary guarantors listed therein, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and the other lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement governed our senior secured credit facilities, consisting of a five-year revolving credit facility in a principal amount of $850 million, an original five-years $250 million term loan A-1, and an original seven-year $250 million term loan A-2. We capitalized $12.4 million of deferred financing fees, which were being amortized over the term of the respective credit or term loan facility up until the Amendment on August 29, 2014 as described below. Deferred financing fees are included in identifiable intangible and other assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
	The senior secured credit facilities are secured by security interests and liens on substantially all of our domestic assets. The senior secured credit facilities are guaranteed by our material domestic subsidiaries. The revolving credit facility and term loan A-1 bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum and the term loan A-2 at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum.
	In conjunction with the January 2, 2014 acquisition of Earthbound Farm, under the terms of the Credit Agreement, we entered into an Incremental Term Loan Agreement to establish a new incremental seven-year term loan A-3 facility in an aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million (the “Incremental Term Loan Agreement”). We capitalized $3.3 million of financing fees, which were being amortized over the term of the term loan facility up until the amendment on August 29, 2014 as described below. We also amended the Credit Agreement on January 2, 2014, to, among other things, reset an accordion feature that allows for our senior secured credit facilities to be increased by up to $500.0 million, subject to lenders commitments, and increased the limit of swing line loans to $85.0 million.
	On August 29, 2014, we entered into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the subsidiary guarantors, lenders and voting participants party thereto (the “Third Amendment”). The Third Amendment extended maturity dates, reset amortization requirements, increased liquidity and added additional operating flexibility under the Credit Agreement. The applicable interest rates and fees under the Credit Agreement were not modified in the Third Amendment. As a result of the Third Amendment, we expensed $0.8 million of deferred financing fees related to the Credit Agreement. We capitalized $4.8 million of new deferred financing fees related to the Third Amendment which, in conjunction with $10.1 million of deferred financing fees remaining related to the Credit Agreement, are being amortized over the term of the revolving and term loan commitments as described below. Deferred financing fees are included in identifiable intangible and other assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
	The Third Amendment, among other things:
	•	extended the maturity date of the revolving commitment and term loan A-1 to August 29, 2019
	•	consolidated the term loan A-3 into the term loan A-2 and extended the maturity date of the term loan A-2 to August 29, 2021
	•	increased the revolving commitment to $1.0 billion from $850 million, and increased the limits under our revolving commitment of swing line loans to $100 million and issued letters of credit to $100 million
	•	increased the term loan A-1 balance to $250 million, constituting an increase of $18.8 million
	•	increased the term loan A-2 balance to $750 million, constituting an aggregate increase of $6.3 million from the previous term loan A-2 and term loan A-3 balances
	•	established a maximum consolidated net leverage ratio at 4.00 to 1.00, with a step down to 3.75 to 1.00 beginning with the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016, with such ratio subject to certain additional adjustments in connection with acquisitions; provided that upon the incurrence of certain indebtedness (a) the maximum consolidated net leverage ratio will increase to 5.00 to 1.00 and (b) the establishment of a maximum consolidated senior secured net leverage ratio covenant of 4.00 to 1.00, with a step down to 3.75 to 1.00 after five full fiscal quarters have elapsed from the incurrence date of such indebtedness. The Senior Unsecured Notes described below triggered the changes referenced above in (a) and (b).
	As of December 31, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings of $995.0 million under our amended $2.0 billion senior secured credit facilities. We had $5.9 million of outstanding letters of credit issued under the revolving portion of our senior secured credit facilities. We had additional borrowing capacity of $994.1 million under our senior secured credit facilities, which amount will vary over time depending on our financial covenants and operating performance and $994.1 million additional capacity on our revolving credit facility.
	Senior Unsecured Notes
	On September 17, 2014, we issued $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes guaranteed by certain of our 100% owned subsidiaries, see Note 20 "Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information." The notes mature on October 1, 2022 and bear interest at a rate of 5.375% per annum payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2015. The net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the notes, after deducting underwriting discounts and commission and offering expenses, was approximately $490.7 million. We utilized the proceeds of the issuance to pay down all outstanding borrowings under our senior secured revolving commitment, with the remaining proceeds increasing our cash balances.
	The scheduled maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2014, were as follows (in thousands):
		Total			Term Loan A-1			Term Loan A-2			Senior Unsecured Notes			Capital Lease Obligations
	2015	$	21,158		$	12,500		$	7,500		$	—		$	1,158
	2016	22,801			14,062			7,500			—			1,239
	2017	27,567			18,750			7,500			—			1,317
	2018	29,215			20,313			7,500			—			1,402
	2019	190,242			181,250			7,500			—			1,492
	Thereafter	1,225,997			—			710,625			500,000			15,372
	Total outstanding debt	$	1,516,980		$	246,875		$	748,125		$	500,000		$	21,980
	Receivables-Backed Facility
	In 2004, we began participating in Dean Foods’ receivables-backed facility. We sold certain of our accounts receivable to a wholly-owned entity that is intended to be bankruptcy-remote. The entity transferred the receivables to third-party asset-backed commercial paper conduits sponsored by major financial institutions. The securitization was treated as borrowing for accounting purposes. We were the beneficiary and obligor for all borrowings and repayments under our portion of the Dean Foods facility.
	During 2012, we borrowed $150.7 million and subsequently repaid $166.7 million under the facility. In connection with our initial public offering, effective September 1, 2012, we are no longer a participant in the Dean Foods receivables securitization program. Receivables sold by us to the entity on or prior to August 31, 2012 will continue to be collected by Dean Foods; however, any receivables generated by us subsequent to September 1, 2012 were not sold into the receivables securitization program.
	Alpro Revolving Credit Facility
	In 2014 and 2013, Alpro maintained a revolving credit facility not to exceed €10 million ($12.1 million USD) or its currency equivalent. The facility is unsecured and is guaranteed by various Alpro subsidiaries and the Company. The subsidiary revolving credit facility is available for working capital and other general corporate purposes of Alpro and for the issuance of up to €10 million ($12.1 million USD) or its currency equivalent letters of credit. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility. Principal payments, if any, are due under the subsidiary revolving credit facility upon maturity on March 31, 2015. We intend to extend this facility upon maturity.
	Allocated Portion of Dean Foods’ Debt (Senior Secured Credit Facility)
	On July 2, 2009, we were allocated $440.3 million from the Dean Foods senior secured credit facility to fund our acquisition of Alpro. Prior to completion of our initial public offering, interest expense had been allocated based on the historical interest rates of the Dean Foods senior secured credit facility and totaled $9.9 million in 2012. Debt issuance costs were allocated in the same proportion as debt and recorded as a non-current asset included in our consolidated balance sheets. Upon completion of our initial public offering, the principal balances associated with this allocated portion of the Dean Foods senior secured credit facility were settled as a contribution to our capital from Dean Foods. Our guarantee of Dean Foods’ senior secured credit facility also terminated upon completion of our initial public offering. See Note 18 “Related Party Transactions.”
	Capital Lease Obligations
	In conjunction with the January 2, 2014 acquisition of Earthbound Farm and the October 31, 2014 acquisition of So Delicious, we became party to leases of certain operating facilities and equipment under capital lease arrangements which bear interest at rates from 3.1% to 8.0% and have expiration dates through 2033. These leases, representing $23.4 million, are included in property, plant, and equipment, net, on the consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement	Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement
	Interest Rates
	In connection with our initial public offering, on October 31, 2012, Dean Foods novated to us certain of its interest rate swaps (the “2017 swaps”) with a notional value of $650 million and a maturity date of March 31, 2017. We are now the sole counterparty to the financial institutions under these swap agreements and are directly responsible for any required future settlements, and the sole beneficiary of any future receipts of funds, pursuant to their terms. We are subject to market risk with respect to changes in the underlying benchmark interest rate that impact the fair value of the interest rate swaps.
	The following table summarizes the terms of the interest rate swap agreements as of December 31, 2014:
	Fixed Interest Rates		Expiration Date		Notional Amount
					(In thousands)
	2.75% to 3.19%		March 31, 2017		$650,000
	We have not designated such contracts as hedging instruments; therefore, the interest rate swap agreements are marked to market at the end of each reporting period and a derivative asset or liability is recorded on our consolidated balance sheet. Losses on these contracts were $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and gains on these contracts were $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Gains and losses are recorded in other expense (income) in our consolidated statements of income. A summary of these open swap agreements recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 is included in the table below.
	Credit risk under these arrangements is believed to be remote as the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreements are major financial institutions; however, if any of the counterparties to the swap agreements become unable to fulfill their obligation, we may lose the financial benefits of these arrangements.
	Commodities
	We are exposed to commodity price fluctuations, including for organic and conventional milk, butterfat, almonds, organic and non-genetically modified (“non-GMO”) soybeans, sweeteners, and other commodity costs used in the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of our products, including utilities, natural gas, resin, and diesel fuel. To secure adequate supplies of materials and bring greater stability to the cost of ingredients and their related manufacturing, packaging, and distribution, we routinely enter into forward purchase contracts and other purchase arrangements with suppliers. Under the forward purchase contracts, we commit to purchasing agreed-upon quantities of ingredients and commodities at agreed-upon prices at specified future dates. The outstanding purchase commitment for these commodities at any point in time typically ranges from one month’s to one year’s anticipated requirements, depending on the ingredient or commodity, but can be longer in limited cases. These contracts are considered normal purchases.
	In addition to entering into forward purchase contracts, from time to time we may purchase over-the-counter hedge contracts from qualified financial institutions for commodities associated with the production and distribution of our products. Certain of these contracts offset the risk of increases in our commodity costs and are designated as cash flow hedges when appropriate. There was no material hedge ineffectiveness related to our commodities contracts designated as hedging instruments during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
	Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to commodity price risk but do not meet the authoritative guidance for hedge accounting. From time to time, the Company enters into commodity forward contracts to fix the price of natural gas and diesel fuel purchases and other commodities at a future delivery date. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded to cost of goods sold and selling, distribution, and marketing expenses in our consolidated statements of income depending on commodity type. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a $9.9 million unrealized loss related to our commodities contracts.
	Although we may utilize forward purchase contracts and other instruments to mitigate the risks related to commodity price fluctuation, such strategies do not fully mitigate commodity price risk. Adverse movements in commodity prices over the terms of the contracts or instruments could decrease or eliminate the economic benefits we derive from these strategies.
	Foreign Currency
	Our international operations represented approximately 19% and 25% of our long-lived assets and 19% and 19% of our net sales as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Sales in foreign countries, as well as certain expenses related to those sales, are transacted in currencies other than our reporting currency, the U.S. Dollar. Our foreign currency exchange rate risk primarily consists of the Euro, the British Pound, the Canadian dollar and the RMB related to net sales and expenses in currencies other than the functional currency of the business. We may, from time to time, employ derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency rates or enter into forward currency exchange contracts to hedge our net investment and intercompany payable or receivable balances in foreign operations. There was no material hedge ineffectiveness related to our foreign currency exchange contracts designated as hedging instruments during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
	During the second quarter of 2012, we repatriated approximately €55.0 million ($71.0 million) from our foreign operations to Dean Foods. We entered into forward contracts to purchase $71 million to mitigate potential currency fluctuations as we took steps to mobilize these funds. These derivative instruments were not designated as hedging instruments, and changes in fair value of the instruments were recognized immediately in other operating (income) expense in our audited consolidated statements of operations. We recognized a net gain of $0.6 million related to these instruments during the year ended December 31, 2012. These gains were substantially offset by foreign currency losses related to an intercompany note that was repaid as part of the cash repatriation transaction. The proceeds of the 2012 repatriation were used for Dean Foods debt service and does not change our 2013 assertion to permanently reinvest our foreign earnings.
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, derivatives recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
		December 31,
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
		2014				2013		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Derivatives designated as Hedging Instruments
	Foreign currency contracts — current(1)	$	1,159			$	—	$	—		$	634
	Commodities contracts — current(1)	—				1,162		—			—
	Derivatives not designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate swap contracts — current(1)	—				—		17,562			18,255
	Commodities contracts — current(1)	—				—		9,886			—
	Interest rate swap contracts — noncurrent(2)	—				—		13,853			26,667
	Total derivatives	$	1,159			$	1,162	$	41,301		$	45,556
	___________________________
	-1	Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates equal to or less than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets.
	-2	Derivative liabilities that have settlement dates greater than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
	Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income were as follows:
		Year ended December 31 ,
		2014				2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	(Gains)/losses on foreign currency contracts(1)	$	547			$	358	$	(320	)
	(Gains)/losses on commodities contracts(2)	(1,299		)		1,031		—
	___________________________
	-1	Recorded in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations.
	-2	Recorded in selling, distribution and marketing expense or cost of sales, depending on commodity type, in our consolidated statements of income.
	Based on current exchange rates we estimate that $1.2 million of hedging activity related to our foreign currency contracts will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss within the next 12 months.
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering assumptions, we follow a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
	•	Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
	•	Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations, in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
	•	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
	A summary of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		Fair value
		as of
		December 31, 2014				Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	25			$	25	$	—		$	—
	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan investments	2,635				2,635		—			—
	Insurance contracts	10,401				—		—			10,401
	Foreign currency contracts	1,159				—		1,159			—
	Deferred compensation investments	4,674				—		4,674			—
		$	18,894			$	2,660	$	5,833		$	10,401
	Liabilities:
	Senior unsecured notes	$	516			$	516	$	—		$	—
	Commodities contracts	9,886				—		9,886			—
	Interest rate swap contracts	31,415				—		31,415			—
	$	41,817			$	516	$	41,301		$	—
	Fair value
	as of
	December 31, 2013				Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	11,617			$	11,617	$	—		$	—
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan investments	1,790				1,790		—			—
Insurance contracts	11,731				—		—			11,731
Commodities contracts	1,162				—		1,162			—
Deferred compensation investments	4,637				—		4,637			—
	$	30,937			$	13,407	$	5,799		$	11,731
Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	$	634			$	—	$	634		$	—
Interest rate swap contracts	44,922				—		44,922			—
	$	45,556			$	—	$	45,556		$	—
The fair value of our interest rate swaps is determined based on the notional amounts of the swaps and the forward LIBOR curve relative to the fixed interest rates under the swap agreements. The fair value of our commodities contracts is based on the quantities and fixed prices under the agreements and quoted forward commodity prices. The fair value of our foreign currency contracts is based on the notional amounts and rates under the contracts and observable market forward exchange rates. We classify these instruments in Level 2 because quoted market prices can be corroborated utilizing observable benchmark market rates at commonly quoted intervals and observable market transactions of spot currency rates and forward currency prices. We did not significantly change our valuation techniques from prior periods.
The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) investments are classified as trading securities and are primarily invested in money market funds and held at fair value. We classify these assets as Level 1 as fair value can be corroborated based on quoted market prices for identical instruments in active markets.
The deferred compensation investment is primarily invested in mutual funds and is held at fair value. We classify these assets as Level 2 as fair value can be corroborated based on quoted market prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active.
Our assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis include cash equivalent money market funds. Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of trade accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered equivalent to fair value. In addition, because the interest rates on our senior secured credit facilities are variable, their fair values approximate their carrying values.
The fair value of the senior unsecured notes is based on fair value and is determined using Level 1 inputs. We classify the senior notes as Level 1 as fair value can be corroborated based on quoted market prices in active markets.
At December 31, 2014, our qualified pension plan investments are comprised of insurance contracts, and the guaranteed premiums are invested in the general assets of the insurance company. We classify these assets as Level 3 as there is little or no market data to support the fair value. The funding policy is to contribute assets at least equal in amount to regulatory minimum requirements. Funding is based on legal requirements, tax considerations, and investment opportunities. See Note 15 “Employee Retirement Plans.”
We sponsor two deferred compensation plans, Pre-2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and Post-2004 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, under which certain employees with a base compensation of at least $150,000 historically may elect to defer receiving payment for a portion of their salary and bonus until periods after their respective retirements or upon separation from service. See Note 15 “Employee Retirement Plans.” The assets related to this plan are primarily invested in money mutual funds and are held at fair value. We classify these assets as Level 2 as fair value can be corroborated based on quoted market prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active. Changes in the fair value are recorded in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations.
Additionally, we maintain a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), which is a nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement for our executive officers and other employees earning compensation in excess of the maximum compensation that can be taken into account with respect to our 401(k) plan. The SERP is designed to provide these employees with retirement benefits from us that are equivalent, as a percentage of total compensation, to the benefits provided to other employees. The assets related to this plan are primarily invested in money market funds and are held at fair value. We classify these assets as Level 1 as fair value can be corroborated based on quoted market prices for identical instruments in active markets. Changes in the fair value are recorded in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation
	Twenty million shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 SIP”) upon the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), or restricted stock awards that may be issued to our employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The 2012 SIP also authorizes the issuance of awards of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and phantom shares, which settle in cash. In general, awards granted to our employees under the 2012 SIP vest one-third on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date. In addition, unvested awards vest immediately upon a change of control and in the following additional circumstances: (i) an employee retires after reaching the age of 65, (ii) in certain cases upon the employee’s death or qualified disability, and (iii) except for awards granted in connection with our initial public offering, an employee retires after reaching the age of 55 and completing 10 years of service.
	Prior to the Distribution, certain of the Company’s employees participated in share-based compensation plans sponsored by Dean Foods. These plans provided employees with RSUs, options to purchase shares of Dean Foods’ common stock, and other stock-based awards. Given that the Company’s employees directly benefited from participation in these plans, the expense incurred by Dean Foods for Dean Foods equity awards granted to the Company’s employees is reflected in the Company’s 2012 consolidated statements of income. This expense, which totaled $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, was calculated based on the total expense related to the corporate employees of Dean Foods and was allocated to the Company based on the percentage of Dean Foods’ total 2012 sales that was attributable to the Company. This allocated expense may not reflect the terms of equity awards that we would have granted to our employees, or the actual expense that we would have incurred with respect to such awards, if we had been a stand-alone public company at the time of the awards. No new grants of Dean Foods’ equity were made to our employees after completion of our initial public offering.
	On May 23, 2013 and in connection with the Distribution, all Dean Foods equity-based awards held by 162 of our nonemployee directors and employees were converted into equity-based awards with respect to our common stock. These Dean Foods equity-based awards included Dean Foods stock options (whether vested or unvested), unvested RSUs and unvested Dean Foods restricted stock awards held by our non-employee directors on the date of the Distribution. The options to purchase Dean Foods common stock held by our directors and employees were converted to options to purchase our common stock in a manner that preserved the life and aggregate intrinsic value in the converted stock option and continued the same proportionate relationship between the exercise price and the value of our common stock as existed with respect to the Dean Foods common stock immediately prior to the Distribution. The conversion was effected based on a formula using the volume weighted average price of Dean Foods common stock and our common stock during the five trading day period that ended on the second trading day preceding the Distribution. The unvested Dean Foods RSUs held by our directors and employees were converted to WhiteWave RSUs in a manner that, on a unit-by-unit basis, preserved the life and intrinsic value of each outstanding Dean Foods RSU (determined using the same volume weighted average values as described above). The unvested Dean Foods phantom shares held by our employees were converted to WhiteWave phantom shares in a manner that, on a unit-by-unit basis, preserved the life and intrinsic value of each outstanding Dean Foods phantom share (determined using the same volume weighted average values as described above). Dean Foods restricted stock awards held by our directors on the date of the Distribution were converted into restricted stock awards with respect to our common stock by (i) applying the same volume weighted average values as described above and (ii) subtracting any shares of our common stock received by our directors in the Distribution in respect of such Dean Foods restricted stock awards. We did not recognize any incremental expense in connection with the conversion of Dean Foods’ equity-based awards into WhiteWave awards.
	Share-Based Compensation Expense
	The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense recognized for the Company’s equity and liability classified plans in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Share-based compensation expense:
	WhiteWave Stock options	$	10,741			$	8,371			$	1,828
	WhiteWave RSUs	15,907				9,060				3,667
	WhiteWave Phantom shares	2,658				6,607				2,593
	WhiteWave SARs	1,134				859				53
	Dean Foods CPUs	—				—				1,388
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	30,440			$	24,897			$	9,529
	Share-based compensation expense shown above reflect expenses for Dean Foods equity and liability plans that
	converted to equivalent WhiteWave equity and liability plans upon the spin-off transaction and is recorded within general and administrative and presented within Corporate and Other in the segment footnote.
	Stock Options
	Under the terms of the 2012 SIP, our employees may be granted options to purchase our common stock at a price equal to the market price on the date the option is granted. Our employee options vest one-third on the first anniversary of the grant date, one-third on the second anniversary of the grant date, and one-third on the third anniversary of the grant date. The maximum contractual term is 10 years.
	Share-based compensation expense for stock options is recognized ratably over the vesting period. The expense totaled $10.7 million, $8.4 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 respectively. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following assumptions:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected volatility	28% - 29%		28%		28%
	Expected dividend yield	0%		0%		0%
	Expected option term	6 years		6 years		6 years
	Risk-free rate of return	1.82% to 2.10%		1.13% to 1.66%		1.05%
	Forfeiture rate	—%		3%		3%
	Since the Company’s common stock did not have a long history of being publicly traded at grant date, the expected term was determined under the simplified method, using an average of the contractual term and vesting period of the stock options. The expected volatility assumption was calculated based on a compensation peer group analysis of stock price volatility with a six-year look back period ending on the grant date. The risk-free rates were based on the average implied yield available on five-year and seven-year U.S. Treasury issues. The forfeiture rates are based on historical rates. We have not paid, and do not anticipate paying, a cash dividend on our common stock.
	The following table summarizes stock option activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted				Weighted		Aggregate
		options			average				average		intrinsic
					exercise price				contractual life		value
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014	11,120,585			$	17.12
	Granted	1,218,996			26.54
	Forfeited, cancelled and expired(1)	(494,690	)		17.63
	Exercised	(495,605	)		18.96
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2014	11,349,286			$	18.03			5.97		$	192,468,796
	Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	11,349,286			$	18.03			5.97		$	192,468,796
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2014	8,107,231			$	17.63			5.07		$	140,767,707
	___________________________
	-1	Pursuant to the terms of the SIP, options that are cancelled expired or forfeited may be available for future grants.
	The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at December 31, 2014:
		Options outstanding									Options exercisable
	Range of	Number			Weighted-		Weighted-average				Number		Weighted-
	exercise prices	outstanding			average		exercise price				exercisable		average
					remaining								exercise price
					contractual life
	$9.38 to 9.52	1,166,277			6.07		$	9.51			1,166,277		$	9.51
	11.1	1,442,904			7.13		11.1				967,502		11.1
	11.12 to 14.71	429,763			5.15		13.4				424,349		13.4
	15.16	1,213,770			8.13		15.16				429,497		15.16
	15.17 to 16.91	74,752			7.01		15.93				49,081		15.75
	17	2,363,420			7.82		17				1,557,869		17
	17.19 to 23.33	1,836,482			3.82		20.96				1,694,927		20.82
	23.35 to 26.91	1,997,760			5.08		25.28				1,046,936		23.81
	27.69 to 32.12	817,444			2.54		27.87				770,793		27.78
	$34.90	6,714			9.65		$	34.9			—		$	—
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of options granted	$	8.62			$	4.42			$	4.91
	Intrinsic value of options exercised	12,158				2,616				—
	Fair value of shares vested	6,281				4,006				—
Tax benefit related to stock option expense	3,864				2,769				236
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we received $3.1 million of cash from stock option exercises. At December 31, 2014, there was $9.7 million of total unrecognized stock option expense, all of which is related to non-vested options. This compensation expense is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.24 years.
RSUs
RSUs are issued to certain senior employees under the 2012 SIP as part of the long-term incentive program. An RSU represents the right to receive one share of common stock in the future. RSUs have no exercise price. RSUs granted to employees vest ratably over three years and have no maximum contractual term.
The following table summarizes RSU activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
RSUs outstanding January 1, 2014	1,247,596
RSUs issued	507,920
Shares issued upon vesting of RSUs	(420,655		)
RSUs cancelled or forfeited(1)	(266,510		)
Converted from phantom shares	279,504
RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,347,855
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	22.21
___________________________
-1	Pursuant to the terms of the SIP, employees have the option of withholding RSUs to cover their minimum statutory tax withholding when shares are issued. RSUs that are cancelled or forfeited may be available for future grants.
The following table summarizes nonvested RSU activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
Nonvested RSUs outstanding January 1, 2014	1,173,960
RSUs granted	507,920
RSUs vested	(598,263		)
RSUs cancelled or forfeited(1)	(266,510		)
Converted from phantom shares	279,504
Nonvested RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2014	$	1,096,611
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	22.91
___________________________
-1	Pursuant to the terms of the SIP, employees have the option of withholding RSUs to cover their minimum statutory tax withholding when shares are issued. RSUs that are cancelled or forfeited may be available for future grants.
The following table summarizes information about our RSU grants and related tax benefit during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	Year ended December 31,
	2014				2013				2012
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Weighted-average grant date fair value per RSU granted	$	26.79			$	15.2			$	16.98
Tax benefit related to RSU expense	5,109				1,408				222
Compensation expense for RSUs is recognized ratably over the vesting period. RSU expense totaled $15.9 million, $9.1 million and $3.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2014, there was $14.63 million of total unrecognized RSU expense, all of which is related to unvested awards. This compensation expense is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.27 years.
Phantom Shares
We previously granted phantom shares under the 2012 SIP as part of our long-term incentive compensation program, which are similar to RSUs in that they are based on the price of WhiteWave stock and vest ratably over a three-year period with no maximum contractual term, but are cash-settled based upon the value of WhiteWave stock at each vesting period. The fair value of the awards is re-measured at each reporting period. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period, which is recorded in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
On November 14, 2013, the Company’s compensation committee approved the conversion into RSUs of all phantom shares outstanding and unvested held by 151 of our employees, except for the phantom shares held by employees of the Europe Foods & Beverages segment. For each phantom share that had a vesting event in February 2014, the conversion of the award was effective immediately after that vesting event. For each phantom share that had a vesting event on a date after February 2014, the conversion of the award was effective on March 1, 2014. Upon conversion, the corresponding liability was reclassified to additional paid-in capital in our consolidated balance sheets as of the modification date. Going forward, the converted awards will be accounted for as equity-based awards and will not be re-measured at each reporting period. The RSUs will vest ratably over the remaining term of the original phantom shares.
Compensation expense totaled $2.7 million, $6.6 million, and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 respectively. The weighted-average remaining vesting period is 0.73 years.
A corresponding liability has been recorded in current and long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet totaling $0.8 million and $4.8 million as of December 2014 and 2013, respectively. The 2014 cash settlement of WhiteWave phantom shares was $6.2 million. The following table summarizes the phantom share activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
	Shares			Weighted-average
				grant date fair value
				per share
Outstanding at January 1, 2014	571,079			$	17.11
Granted	1,614			17
Converted/paid	(224,817	)		17.63
Forfeited	(36,226	)		17.05
Converted to RSUs	(279,504	)		16.81
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	32,146			$	16.19
The following table summarizes nonvested phantom share activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
Nonvested phantom shares outstanding January 1, 2014	571,079
Phantom shares granted	1,614
Phantom shares vested	(224,817		)
Phantom shares cancelled or forfeited	(36,226		)
Converted to RSUs	(279,504		)
Nonvested phantom shares outstanding at December 31, 2014	$	32,146
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	16.19
Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”)
We granted SARs under the 2012 SIP as part of our long-term incentive compensation program, which are similar to stock options in that they are based on the price of WhiteWave stock and vest ratably over a three-year period, but are cash-settled based upon the value of WhiteWave stock at the exercise date. The maximum contractual term is 10 years.
The fair value of each SAR is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following assumptions:
	Year ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Expected volatility	—		28%		28%
Expected dividend yield	—		0%		0%
Expected option term	0 years		6 years		6 years
Risk-free rate of return	—		1.13% to 1.66%		1.05%
Since the Company’s common stock did not have a long history of being publicly traded at grant date, the expected volatility assumption was calculated based on a compensation peer group analysis of stock price volatility with a six-year look back period ending on the grant date. The risk-free rates were based on the average implied yield available on five-year and seven-year U.S. Treasury issues. The Company does not anticipate paying a cash dividend on its common stock.
The fair value of the awards is re-measured at each reporting period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period, which is recorded in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. The expense totaled $1.1 million, $0.9 million, and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. A corresponding liability has been recorded in current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet totaling $1.1 million and $0.9 million as of December 2014 and 2013, respectively. The following table summarizes SAR activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
	Number of			Weighted				Weighted		Aggregate
	SARs			average				average		intrinsic value
				exercise price				contractual life
SARs outstanding at January 1, 2014	293,693			$	16.48
Granted	—			—
Forfeited and cancelled(1)	(14,153	)		16.52
Exercised	(16,020	)		16.36
SARs outstanding at December 31, 2014	263,520			$	16.49			7.91		$	4,875,529
SARs vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	263,520			$	16.49			7.91		$	4,875,529
SARs exercisable at December 31, 2014	147,040			$	16.73			7.87		$	2,685,616
___________________________
-1	Pursuant to the terms of the SIP, SARs that are cancelled or forfeited may be available for future grants.
The following table summarizes nonvested SARs activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
Nonvested SARs outstanding January 1, 2014	223,318
SARs granted	—
SARs vested	(92,685		)
SARs cancelled or forfeited	(14,153		)
Nonvested SARs outstanding at December 31, 2014	$	116,480
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	16.19
Dean Foods Cash Performance Units
In 2010, Dean Foods began granting cash performance units (“CPUs”) to employees as part of its long-term incentive compensation program under the terms of the 2007 Plan. The CPU awards are cash-settled awards and are designed to link compensation of certain executive officers and other key employees to Dean Foods’ performance over a three-year period. The performance metric, as defined in the awards, is the performance of the Dean Foods stock price relative to that of a peer group of companies. The range of payout under the awards is between 0% and 200% and is payable in cash at the end of each respective performance period. The fair value of the awards is measured at each reporting period. Compensation expense related to the Company’s direct employees is recognized over the vesting period which is recorded in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The expense totaled $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. There are no CPUs outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and no related expense for 2013 or 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a $0.6 million credit to expense due to a reduction of the payout assumption related to the 2010 awards. In the period subsequent to completion of our initial public offering, a corresponding liability has been recorded in other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet. In periods prior to completion of our initial public offering, a liability related to these units has not been reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as the payout was to be funded by Dean Foods.
In connection with our initial public offering, Dean Foods valued the 2011 and 2012 CPU awards for our executives based on performance as of December 31, 2012, instead of at the end of the originally scheduled 36-month performance periods. The cash value of these awards was paid out on a prorated basis during the year ended December 31, 2013. There were no cash awards prior to 2010 related to our employees.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss comprises net income plus all other changes in equity from non-owner sources. The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (net of tax):
		Derivative			Defined benefit pension plan (2)			Foreign currency			Total
		instruments(1)						translation
								adjustment
		(In thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	205		$	(793	)	$	(7,852	)	$	(8,440	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(183		)	(2,080		)	(51,990		)	(54,253		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	752			823			—			1,575
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of taxes of ($406)	569			(1,257		)	(51,990		)	(52,678		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	774		$	(2,050	)	$	(59,842	)	$	(61,118	)
		Derivative			Defined benefit pension plan (2)			Foreign currency			Total
		instruments(1)						translation
								adjustment
		(In thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	(294	)	$	(1,818	)	$	(25,576	)	$	(27,688	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	1,888			1,115			17,724			20,727
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1,389		)	(90		)	—			(1,479		)
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of taxes of $796	499			1,025			17,724			19,248
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	205		$	(793	)	$	(7,852	)	$	(8,440	)
	___________________________
	-1	The accumulated other comprehensive loss reclassification components affect cost of sales and selling, distribution and marketing. See Note 12 “Derivative Financial Instruments.”
	-2	The accumulated other comprehensive loss reclassification components are related to amortization of unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs which are both included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 15 “Employee Retirement Plans.”

Employee_Retirement_Plans

Employee Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Retirement Plans	Employee Retirement Plans
	Prior to the Distribution, our employees participated in Dean Foods’ broad-based programs generally available to all employees, including its 401(k) plan, health and dental plans and various other insurance plans, including disability and life insurance. Effective upon the Distribution, the Company implemented its own substantially similar employee benefit plans and our employees are no longer eligible to participate in Dean Foods’ plans. Additionally, we contribute to one multiemployer pension plan on behalf of our employees.
	Substantially all full-time union and non-union employees who have completed one or more years of service and have met other requirements pursuant to the plans were eligible to participate in one or more of the Dean Foods’ plans. Expenses related to our employees’ participation in Dean Foods’ plans, prior to the Distribution, were determined by specifically identifying the costs for the Company’s participants.
	During 2014, 2013, and 2012, our retirement plans expenses were as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Defined benefit plans	$	951			$	2,050			$	1,804
	Defined contribution plan	3,397				3,163				2,210
	Multiemployer pension and certain union plans	1,758				1,683				1,658
	Total	$	6,106			$	6,896			$	5,672
	Defined Contribution Plans
	Certain of our non-union personnel may elect to participate in a savings plan sponsored by the Company. This plan provides for contributions by the participants of between 1% and 20% from January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014 and between 1% and 50% from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 and provides for matching contributions by the employer up to 4% of a participant’s annual compensation. In addition, certain union hourly employees are participants in the company-sponsored defined contribution plan, which provide for employer matching contributions in various amounts ranging from 3% to 5% per pay period per participant.
	In 2014, Earthbound's plan provided for contributions by the participants between 1% and 60% and safe harbor matching contributions by the employer of up to 4% of participant’s annual compensation. Earthbound's defined contribution plan was merged into WhiteWave’s defined contribution plan as of January 1, 2015.
	So Delicious' plan provided for contributions by the participants between 1% and 100% of eligible compensation  to their pre-tax or post tax  401(k), and a safe harbor matching contributions by the employer of a dollar for-dollar match of the first 3% of pay, and 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2% of pay or up to 4% of participant’s annual compensation.  The plan allows for additional employer contributions subject to vesting.
	Alpro Defined Benefit Plans
	We have separate, stand-alone defined benefit pension plans as a result of the acquisition of Alpro on July 2, 2009. The benefits under our Alpro defined benefit plans are based on years of service and employee compensation. Our funding policy is to contribute annually the minimum amount required under local regulations plus additional amounts as management deems appropriate.
	Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 are the following amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost: unrecognized prior service costs of $nil million ($nil million net of tax), $0.2 million ($0.1 million net of tax) and $0.3 million ($0.2 million net of tax) and unrecognized actuarial losses of $3.1 million ($2.0 million net of tax), $1.0 million ($0.7 million net of tax) and $2.4 million ($1.6 million net of tax), respectively. The prior service costs and actuarial losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss and expected to be recognized in net periodic pension cost during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are $334 ($221 net of tax) and $95,800 ($63,438 net of tax) and $12,500 ($8,500 net of tax) and $2,700 ($1,800 net of tax), respectively. During 2014, as a result of the sale of the SoFine business, the related pension plan was terminated thereby resulting in a plan curtailment and plan settlement as recorded below.
	The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the funded status of the plans at December 31, 2014 and 2013, is as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013
		(In thousands)
	Change in Benefit Obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of the year	$	17,009			$	15,882
	Service cost	1,636				1,771
	Interest cost	545				545
	Plan participants’ contributions	—				57
	Plan amendments	—				(76		)
	Plan curtailments	(882		)		—
	Plan settlements	(1,439		)		—
	Actuarial (gain)/loss	2,537				(1,395		)
	Benefits paid	(511		)		(424		)
	Expenses paid	(17		)		(31		)
	Exchange rate changes	(2,143		)		680
	Benefit obligation, end of year	16,735				17,009
	Change in Plan Assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	11,731				9,819
	Actual return on plan assets	648				357
	Employer contributions to plan	1,361				1,492
	Plan participants’ contributions	—				57
	Plan settlements	(1,439		)		—
	Benefits paid	(511		)		(424		)
	Expenses paid	(17		)		(31		)
	Exchange rate changes	(1,372		)		461
	Fair value of plan assets, end of year	10,401				11,731
	Funded status at end of year	$	(6,334	)		$	(5,278	)
	The underfunded status of the plans of $6.3 million at December 31, 2014 is recognized in our consolidated balance sheet as a non-current accrued pension liability. We do not expect any plan assets to be returned to us during the year ended December 31, 2015. We expect to contribute $1.2 million to the pension plans in 2015.
	A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Weighted average discount rate	2.03	%		3.79	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.92	%		3.87	%
	A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for 2014, 2013, and 2012 is as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Weighted average discount rate	3.79	%		3.5	%		4.5	%
	Expected return on assets	3.79	%		3.71	%		3.85	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.87	%		3.88	%		3.87	%
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	1,636			$	1,771			$	1,409
	Interest cost	545				545				513
Expected return on plan assets	(407		)		(356		)		(191		)
Amortization:
Prior service cost	2				17				16
Unrecognized net loss	3				73				3
Curtailment gain	(690		)		—				—
Settlement gain	(138		)		—				—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	951			$	2,050			$	1,750
The overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is a weighted-average expectation based on the targeted and expected portfolio composition. We consider historical performance and current benchmarks to arrive at expected long-term rates of return in each asset category.
Pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets are as follows:
	Year ended December 31,
	2014				2013				2012
	(In thousands)
Projected benefit obligation	$	16,735			$	3,601			$	3,237
Accumulated benefit obligation	12,115				3,206				2,822
Fair value of plan assets	10,401				1,902				1,463
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit plans was $12.1 million, $12.3 million and $11.1 million at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
The weighted average discount rate reflects the rate at which our defined benefit plan obligations could be effectively settled. The rate uses a model that reflects a bond yield curve constructed from high-quality corporate or foreign government bonds, for which the timing of cash outflows approximate the estimated payments. The weighted average discount rate was decreased from 3.8% at December 31, 2013 to 2.0% at December 31, 2014, which will increase the net periodic benefit cost in 2015.
At December 31, 2014, our qualified pension plan investments are comprised of insurance contracts, and the guaranteed premiums are invested in the general assets of the insurance company. The funding policy is to contribute assets at least equal in amount to regulatory minimum requirements. Funding is based on legal requirements, tax considerations, and investment opportunities. The mortality tables utilized within the 2014 valuation included the following: Belgium - Standard official tables used MR/FR, Germany - Richttafeln 2005 G of Klaus Heubeck, Netherlands - Prognosetafel AG 2014 based on income class high-middle.
Estimated pension plan benefit payments to our participants for the next ten years are as follows (in thousands):
2015	$	218
2016	2
2017	69
2018	260
2019	2,434
Next five years	4,156
Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering assumptions, we follow a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value of our defined benefit plans’ consolidated assets. We classify the insurance contracts as Level 3 as there is little or no market data for the unobservable inputs, which requires development of assumptions. See Note 12 “Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement.”
A reconciliation of the change in the fair value measurement of the defined benefit plans’ consolidated assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
	Consolidated
	Assets
	(In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2013	$	9,819
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to instruments still held at reporting date	357
Purchases, sales and settlements (net)	1,555
Balance at December 31, 2013	11,731
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to instruments still held at reporting date	648
Purchases, sales and settlements (net)	(1,978		)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	10,401
Multiemployer Pension Plan
We contribute to a multiemployer pension plan that covers approximately 250 of our union employees. This plan is administered by a board of trustees composed of labor representatives and the management of the participating companies. The risks of participating in a multiemployer plan are different from a single-employer plan in the following aspects:
•	assets contributed to a multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers;
•	if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers; and
•	if we choose to stop participating in our multiemployer plan, we may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.
At this time, we have not established any significant liabilities because withdrawal from this plan is not probable or reasonably possible.
Our participation in the multiemployer plan for the year ended December 31, 2014 is outlined in the table below. Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act (“PPA”) Zone Status available in 2014 and 2013 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The zone status is based on information that we obtained from the plan’s Form 5500, which is available in the public domain and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a funding improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. Federal law requires that plans classified in the yellow zone or red zone adopt a funding improvement plan or rehabilitation plan, respectively, in order to improve the financial health of the plan. The “Extended Amortization Provisions” column indicates plans which have elected to utilize the special 30-year amortization rules provided by the Pension Relief Act of 2010 to amortize its losses from 2008 as a result of turmoil in the financial markets. The last column in the table lists the expiration date of the collective-bargaining agreement to which the plan is subject.
Pension fund	Employer		Pension		PPA Zone status				FIP/RP status		Extended	Expiration date of
	identification		plan						pending/		amortization	associated
	number		number						implemented		provisions	collective-bargaining
					2014		2013					agreement
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan(1)	91-6145047		1		Green		Green		N/A		No	February 28, 2015—
												January 28, 2017
___________________________
-1	We are party to one collective bargaining agreement in this multiemployer Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan which requires contributions. We are also party to two other collective bargaining agreements whose defined contribution plans are 401(k) plans that require matching contributions. These agreements cover a large number of employee participants and expire on various dates between 2015 and 2016.
Information regarding our contributions to our multiemployer pension plan is shown in the table below. There are no changes that materially affected the comparability of our contributions to the plan during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 (in thousands).
	Employer		Pension		The WhiteWave Foods Company									Surcharge
	identification		plan											imposed
Pension fund	number		number		2014				2013			2012
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan	91-6145047		1		$	1,758			$	1,683		$	1,658	No
During the 2014, 2013, and 2012 plan years, our contributions did not exceed 5% of total plan contributions.
Deferred Compensation Plans
We sponsor two deferred compensation plans, Pre-2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and Post-2004 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, under which certain employees with a base compensation of at least $150,000 historically may elect to defer receiving payment for a portion of their salary and bonus until periods after their respective retirements or upon separation from service. The amounts deferred are partially funded and are unsecured obligations of the Company, receiving no preferential standing. The participants in these plans may choose from a number of externally managed mutual fund investments, money market funds and stocks and their investment balances track the rates of return for these accounts. Amounts payable, including accrued deemed interest, totaled $4.7 million and $4.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which were included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The assets related to these plans are primarily invested in money market mutual funds and are recorded at fair value. We classify these assets as Level 2 as fair value can be corroborated based on quoted market prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active. See Note 12 “Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement.”

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Lease and Purchase Obligations
	We lease certain property, plant, and equipment used in our operations under both capital and operating lease agreements. Such leases, which are primarily for operating facilities, office space, machinery, and equipment, have lease terms ranging from one to 20 years. Rent expense was $16.7 million, $15.6 million, and $8.0 million for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The Company leases certain operating facilities and equipment under capital lease arrangements. These assets are included in property, plant, and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets.
	Future minimum payments at December 31, 2014, under non-cancelable operating leases with terms in excess of one year are summarized below:
		Operating
		leases
		(In thousands)
	2015	$	25,962
	2016	17,589
	2017	13,950
	2018	10,087
	2019	9,205
	Thereafter	21,324
	Total minimum lease payments	$	98,117
	We have entered into various contracts, in the normal course of business, obligating us to purchase minimum quantities of raw materials used in our production and distribution processes, including soybeans and organic raw milk. We enter into these contracts from time to time to ensure a sufficient supply of raw materials. In addition, we have contractual obligations to purchase various services that are part of our production process.
	Litigation, Investigations, and Audits
	The Company is involved in various litigation, investigations, and audit proceedings in the normal course of business. It is management’s opinion, after consultation with counsel and a review of the facts, a material adverse effect on the financial position, liquidity, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company is not probable or reasonably possible.

Segment_Geographic_and_Custome

Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information	Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information
	For the first three quarters of 2014, we reported operating results through two reportable segments:  North America and Europe.  In the fourth quarter of 2014, we determined that the Earthbound Farm business, which we acquired in January 2014, would be operated largely autonomously and will continue to be led by its own President for the foreseeable future.  As a result, we are reporting results of operations for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2014 through three reportable segments:  Americas Foods & Beverages, Americas Fresh Foods and Europe Foods & Beverages.
	Our business is organized into three operating and reportable segments, Americas Foods & Beverages, Americas Fresh Foods and Europe Foods & Beverages, based on our go-to-markets strategies, customer bases, and the objectives of our businesses. Our segments align with how our chief operating decision maker, our CEO, monitors operating performance, allocates resources, and deploys capital.
	The Americas Foods & Beverages segment offers products in the plant-based foods and beverages, coffee creamers and beverages, and premium dairy product categories throughout North America, our Americas Fresh Foods segment offers salads, fruits and vegetables throughout North America, and our Europe Foods & Beverages segment offers plant-based food and beverage products throughout Europe. We sell our products to a variety of customers, including grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, and convenience stores, as well as various away-from-home channels, including foodservice outlets, across North America and Europe. We sell our products in North America and Europe primarily through our direct sales force and independent brokers and distributors. We utilize nine manufacturing plants, multiple distribution centers, and three strategic co-packers across the United States. Additionally, we have three plants across Europe in the United Kingdom, Belgium and France, each supported by an integrated supply chain. We also utilize third-party co-packers across Europe for certain products.
	We evaluate the performance of our segments based on sales and operating income. The amounts in the following tables are obtained from reports used by our chief operating decision maker. There are no significant non-cash items reported in segment profit or loss other than depreciation and amortization.
	The reporting segments do not include the costs allocated to us by Dean Foods for certain corporate and shared service functions. In addition, the expense related to share-based compensation has not been allocated to our segments and is reflected entirely within the caption “Corporate and other.” Related party license income, further described in Note 18 “Related Party Transactions,” has also been excluded. Therefore, the measure of segment profit or loss presented below is before such items.
	The following table presents the summarized income statement amounts by segment:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Total net sales:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	2,350,825		$	2,123,997		$	1,921,444
	Americas Fresh Foods	575,283			—			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	510,497			418,066			367,994
	Total	$	3,436,605		$	2,542,063		$	2,289,438
	Operating income:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	264,197		$	215,155		$	178,960
	Americas Fresh Foods	47,723			—			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	52,673			20,879			23,735
	Total reportable segment operating income	364,593			236,034			202,695
	Related party license income	—			—			36,034
	Corporate and other	(97,907		)	(78,602		)	(58,476		)
	Total operating income	$	266,686		$	157,432		$	180,253
	Other expense (income):
	Interest expense	36,972			18,027			9,924
	Other expense (income), net	5,266			(3,829		)	957
	Income from continuing operations before income tax	$	224,448		$	143,234		$	169,372
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	62,290		$	59,717		$	54,499
	Americas Fresh Foods	25,771			—			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	21,143			21,628			19,855
	Corporate	1,363			560			—
	Total	$	110,567		$	81,905		$	74,354
	The following tables present sales amounts by product categories:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Total net sales:
	Americas Foods & Beverages
	Plant-based food and beverages	$	715,667		$	627,716		$	549,727
	Coffee creamers and beverages	990,998			913,517			818,880
	Premium dairy	644,160			582,764			552,837
	Americas Foods & Beverages net sales	2,350,825			2,123,997			1,921,444
	Americas Fresh Foods
	Organic salads, fruits and vegetables	575,283			—			—
	Americas Fresh Foods net sales	575,283			—			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages
	Europe Foods & Beverages net sales	510,497			418,066			367,994
	Total net sales	$	3,436,605		$	2,542,063		$	2,289,438
	The following tables present assets, long-lived assets, and capital expenditures by segment:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	1,935,524		$	1,588,104
	Americas Fresh Foods	713,211			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	563,963			563,026
	Corporate	160,143			132,054
	Total	$	3,372,841		$	2,283,184
	Long-lived Assets:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	638,618		$	484,739
	Americas Fresh Foods	157,079			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	184,506			163,860
	Corporate	13,004			11,084
Total	$	993,207		$	659,683
	Year ended December 31,
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Capital expenditures:
Americas Foods & Beverages	$	208,623		$	128,877
Americas Fresh Foods	28,497			—
Europe Foods & Beverages	62,147			20,732
Corporate	3,007			5,869
Total	$	302,274		$	155,478
Significant Customers
The Company had a single customer that represented 14.6%, 17.5%, and 18.0% of our consolidated net sales in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Sales to this customer were primarily included in our Americas Foods & Beverages segment.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions
	Allocated Expenses
	As of July 25, 2013, Dean Foods disposed of its remaining shares of the Company’s common stock in a registered public offering. As a result of and immediately following this offering, Dean Foods has no ownership interest in us and therefore is no longer a related party. Prior to completion of our initial public offering, Dean Foods provided certain corporate services to us, and costs associated with these functions were allocated to us. These allocations include costs related to corporate services, such as executive management, supply chain, information technology, legal, finance and accounting, investor relations, human resources, risk management, tax, treasury, and other services, as well as stock-based compensation expense attributable to our employees and an allocation of stock-based compensation attributable to employees of Dean Foods. The costs of such services were allocated to us based on the most relevant allocation method to the service provided, primarily based on relative percentage of total net sales, relative percentage of headcount, or specific identification. The total amount of these allocations from Dean Foods was approximately $50.7 million from January 1, 2012 to the date of our initial public offering (which includes approximately $17.5 million of transaction costs related to our initial public offering) and $32.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2011. These cost allocations are primarily reflected within general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations as well as classified as “Corporate and other” in Note 17 “Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information.” Management believes the basis on which the expenses have been allocated to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or the benefit received by us during the periods presented. Dean Foods provided some of these services on a transitional basis for a fee through 2014.
	Upon completion of our initial public offering, we assumed responsibility for the costs of these functions. The allocations may not reflect the expense we would have incurred as a stand-alone public company. Actual costs that may have been incurred if we had been a stand-alone public company would depend on a number of factors, including the chosen organizational structure, what functions were outsourced or performed by employees, and strategic decisions made in certain areas.
	We were allocated a portion of Dean Foods’ consolidated debt based on amounts directly incurred by us to fund the acquisition of Alpro in July 2009. Prior to completion of our initial public offering, interest expense had been allocated based on the historical interest rates of the Dean Foods senior secured credit facility during each period presented, as this revolver was drawn to fund the Alpro acquisition. Debt issuance costs were allocated in the same proportion as the debt. In connection with our initial public offering, the allocated portion of the Dean Foods senior secured credit facility was settled as a contribution to our capital from Dean Foods. Management believes the basis of the historical allocation for debt, interest expense, and debt issuance costs was reasonable. However, these amounts may not be indicative of the actual amounts that we would have incurred had we been a stand-alone public company for the periods presented. See Note 11 “Debt and Capital Lease Obligations.”
	Cash Management
	We use a centralized approach to cash management and financing of operations. Prior to completion of our initial public offering, Dean Foods provided financing, cash management, and other treasury services to us. Our North America cash balances were regularly swept by Dean Foods, and we received funding from Dean Foods for our operating and investing cash needs. Cash transferred to and from Dean Foods was historically recorded as intercompany payables and receivables that were reflected as a component of Dean Foods’ net investment in our consolidated balance sheets. Since completion of our initial public offering, we have maintained separate cash management and financing functions for our operations.
	Related Party Arrangements
	Historically, related party transactions and activities involving Dean Foods and its wholly-owned subsidiaries were not always consummated on terms equivalent to those that would prevail in an arm’s-length transaction where conditions of competitive, free-market dealing may exist. Prior to the Distribution, sales of our raw materials and finished products that we manufacture for other wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dean Foods have been reflected as related party sales in our consolidated financial statements.
	Prior to completion of our initial public offering, certain related party transactions were settled by either non-cash capital contributions from Dean Foods to us or non-cash capital distributions from us to Dean Foods and included as part of Dean Foods’ net investment. Both prior to and after the completion of our initial public offering, other related party transactions that are settled in cash are reflected as related party receivables in our consolidated balance sheets.
	During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, we utilized manufacturing facilities and resources managed by affiliates of Dean Foods to conduct our business. The expenses associated with these transactions, which primarily relate to co-packing certain of our products, are included in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of income.
	In connection with and effective as of our initial public offering, we entered into agreements that formalize ongoing commercial arrangements we have with Dean Foods and Morningstar, which are described below. Certain terms of these agreements were modified in connection with Dean Foods’ sale of Morningstar. These agreements are described in Note 4, “Transactions with Morningstar.”
	Agreements with Dean Foods
	Sales and Distribution Agreement — We entered into an agreement with two wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dean Foods, Suiza Dairy Group, LLC (“Suiza Dairy”) and Dean Dairy Holdings, LLC (“Dean Dairy”), pursuant to which those subsidiaries continue to sell and distribute certain WhiteWave products. This agreement modified our historical intercompany arrangements and reflected new pricing.
	Co-Packing Agreement — We entered into a separate manufacturing agreement with Suiza Dairy and Dean Dairy pursuant to which those subsidiaries continue manufacturing WhiteWave fresh organic milk products on our behalf. The agreement formalized our historical intercompany arrangements.
	Cream Supply Agreement — We also entered into a supply agreement with Suiza Dairy and Dean Dairy pursuant to which we continue to purchase cream from such subsidiaries for an initial term ending December 31, 2013, with an option for us to renew for up to four one-year terms. We have renewed through December 31, 2015. This agreement formalizes our historical intercompany arrangements and does not impact comparability in our consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
	License Agreement — We entered into an agreement with Dean Foods pursuant to which we have an exclusive license to manufacture and sell shelf stable aseptic flavored and white milk under Dean Foods’ TruMoo brand in certain retail channels and to designated foodservice accounts throughout North America in exchange for payment of a royalty. The initial term of the agreement is December 2012 through December 31, 2017, with automatic one-year renewals thereafter so long as we achieve specified volume thresholds and minimum royalties.
	Transition Services Agreement — We and Dean Foods also entered into a transition services agreement to cover certain continued corporate services provided by us and Dean Foods to each other following completion of our initial public offering. We paid Dean Foods mutually agreed-upon fees for their services which completed in 2014, and Dean Foods pays us mutually agreed-upon fees for our services. In 2012, Dean Foods charged us $5.4 million and we charged Dean Foods $2.6 million for services rendered under the transition services agreement. In 2013, Dean Foods charged us $19.0 million and we charged Dean Foods $3.0 million for services rendered under the transition services agreement since its effective date. In 2014, Dean Foods charged us $2.2 million and we charged Dean Foods $0.7 million for services rendered under the transition services agreement. The transition services agreement is substantially complete, however a portion of the agreement relating to IT services provided to Dean Foods has been extended into 2015.
	Termination of Intellectual Property License Agreement
	Historically, the Company was party to a license agreement with Morningstar, pursuant to which Morningstar had the right to use the Company’s intellectual property in the manufacture of certain products for a fee. For the year ended December 31, 2012, related party license income was recorded within operating income in our consolidated statements of income in the amount of $36.0 million.
	In conjunction with the license agreement, a loan agreement was entered into, pursuant to which the Company extended a line of credit to Morningstar related to the license income under the license agreement. Prior to completion of our initial public offering, there were no repayments of this loan and no future plans to settle the outstanding balance; therefore, the principal and associated accrued interest was shown in Dean Foods’ net investment as of December 31, 2012. The interest term on the loan to Morningstar was LIBOR plus 2% and recorded in interest income in our consolidated statements of operations. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $6.4 million.
	In connection with our initial public offering, we and Morningstar agreed to terminate this license agreement and the related loan. We no longer receive license income or related interest income associated with these historical agreements. In addition, we entered into an agreement and transferred the intellectual property subject to the license agreement to Morningstar so that Morningstar has the requisite intellectual property and manufacturing know-how to produce and sell its products and brands. All intellectual property related to and necessary for the production of our products and brands was retained.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the effect of all dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during each period. The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the computations of both basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(In thousands, except share and per share data)
	Basic earnings per share computation:
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations	140,185		$	99,041	$	112,514
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares	174,013,700		173,120,689		153,770,492
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.81	$	0.57	$	0.73
	Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations	—		—		0.01
	Basic earnings per share from net income	$	0.81	$	0.57	$	0.74
	Diluted earnings per share computation:
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations	$	140,185	$	99,041	$	112,514
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares — basic	174,013,700		173,120,689		153,770,492
	Stock option conversion(1)	3,268,052		820,743		—
	Stock units(2)	668,164		640,036		5
	Weighted average common shares — diluted	177,949,916		174,581,468		153,770,497
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.79	$	0.57	$	0.73
	Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations	—		—		0.01
	Basic earnings per share from net income	$	0.79	$	0.57	$	0.74
	___________________________
	-1	3,599, 4,045,309, and 2,445,327 anti-dilutive options were excluded from the calculation for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	-2	1,344, 10, and 666,999 anti-dilutive RSUs were excluded from the calculation for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Supplemental_Guarantor_Financi

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information	Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
	In September 2014, we issued debt securities that are guaranteed by certain of our 100% owned subsidiaries. In accordance with Rule 3−10 of Regulation S−X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, the following condensed consolidating financial statements present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of The WhiteWave Foods Company (referred to as “Parent” for the purpose of this note only), the combined guarantor subsidiaries on a guarantor−only basis, the combined non-guarantor subsidiaries on a non-guarantor-only basis and elimination adjustments necessary to arrive at the information for the Parent, guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method for this presentation.
	The following condensed consolidating financial information presents the balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the statements of comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 for the Parent, guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries and elimination adjustments.
	The WhiteWave Foods Company was incorporated on July 17, 2012 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Foods to acquire the capital stock of WWF Operating Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Foods. Prior to our initial public offering on October 31, 2012, WWF Operating Company held substantially all of the historical assets and liabilities. We had nominal assets and no liabilities, and conducted no operations prior to our initial public offering. Accordingly, activity for The WhiteWave Foods Company (the "Parent") is reflected in the consolidating statements from October 31, 2012 forward.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
		31-Dec-14
		Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—			$	524			$	49,716			$	—			$	50,240
	Trade receivables, net of allowance	317				134,352				58,023				—				192,692
	Inventories	—				182,770				32,899				—				215,669
	Deferred income taxes	12,305				15,742				2,216				—				30,263
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,014				18,318				13,991				—				50,323
	Intercompany receivables	1,087,095				504,442				—				(1,591,537		)		—
	Total current assets	1,117,731				856,148				156,845				(1,591,537		)		539,187
	Equity method investments	—				3,000				40,160								43,160
	Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	1,968,899				438,832				—				(2,407,731		)		—
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	7,953				795,696				189,558				—				993,207
	Deferred income taxes	20,835				—				—				(20,835		)		—
	Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	31,803				600,592				96,616				—				729,011
	Goodwill	—				916,482				151,794				—				1,068,276
	Total Assets	$	3,147,221			$	3,610,750			$	634,973			$	(4,020,103	)		$	3,372,841
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	41,478			$	319,247			$	109,039			$	—			$	469,764
	Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	20,000				1,158				—				—				21,158
	Income taxes payable	—				—				496				—				496
	Intercompany payables	504,442				1,062,081				25,014				(1,591,537		)		—
	Total current liabilities	565,920				1,382,486				134,549				(1,591,537		)		491,418
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,475,000				20,822				—				—				1,495,822
	Deferred income taxes	—				236,983				50,862				(20,835		)		267,010
	Other long-term liabilities	29,814				1,560				10,730				—				42,104
	Total liabilities	2,070,734				1,641,851				196,141				(1,612,372		)		2,296,354
	Total shareholders' equity	1,076,487				1,968,899				438,832				(2,407,731		)		1,076,487
	Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	3,147,221			$	3,610,750			$	634,973			$	(4,020,103	)		$	3,372,841
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
		31-Dec-13
		Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—			$	673			$	100,432			$	—			$	101,105
	Trade receivables, net of allowance	332				100,124				46,408				—				146,864
	Inventories	—				124,964				33,605				—				158,569
	Deferred income taxes	12,671				10,652				3,265				—				26,588
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,650				9,304				10,141				—				23,095
	Intercompany receivables	97,619				244,502				—				(342,121		)		—
	Total current assets	114,272				490,219				193,851				(342,121		)		456,221
	Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	1,783,006				464,420				—				(2,247,426		)		—
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	6,028				484,739				168,916				—				659,683
	Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	40,762				267,983				110,726				(24,534		)		394,937
	Goodwill	—				600,316				172,027				—				772,343
	Total Assets	$	1,944,068			$	2,307,677			$	645,520			$	(2,614,081	)		$	2,283,184
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	39,727			$	222,022			$	95,357			$	—			$	357,106
	Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	15,000				—				—				—				15,000
	Income taxes payable	13,079				—				1,215				—				14,294
	Intercompany payables	227,549				95,175				19,397				(342,121		)		—
	Total current liabilities	295,355				317,197				115,969				(342,121		)		386,400
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	647,650				—				—				—				647,650
	Deferred income taxes	—				205,860				56,439				(24,534		)		237,765
Other long-term liabilities	39,624				1,614				8,692				—				49,930
Total liabilities	982,629				524,671				181,100				(366,655		)		1,321,745
Total shareholders' equity	961,439				1,783,006				464,420				(2,247,426		)		961,439
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	1,944,068			$	2,307,677			$	645,520			$	(2,614,081	)		$	2,283,184
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
	Year ended December 31, 2014
	Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
Net sales	$	—			$	2,926,108			$	510,497			$	—			$	3,436,605
Cost of goods sold	—				1,991,748				291,693				—				2,283,441
Gross profit	—				934,360				218,804				—				1,153,164
Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution, and marketing	—				505,567				116,299				—				621,866
General and administrative	92,122				117,938				55,618				—				265,678
Asset disposal and exit costs	—				(1,066		)		—				—				(1,066		)
Total operating expenses	92,122				622,439				171,917				—				886,478
Operating income (loss)	(92,122		)		311,921				46,887				—				266,686
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	35,555				1,219				198				—				36,972
Other expense (income), net	(131,251		)		134,037				2,480				—				5,266
Total other expense (income)	(95,696		)		135,256				2,678				—				42,238
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries	3,574				176,665				44,209				—				224,448
Income tax expense	9,378				60,010				8,891				—				78,279
Loss in equity method investments	—				—				5,984				—				5,984
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(5,804		)		116,655				29,334				—				140,185
Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	145,989				29,334				—				(175,323		)		—
Net income (loss)	140,185				145,989				29,334				(175,323		)		140,185
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	(52,678		)		(52,678		)		(53,247		)		105,925				(52,678		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	$	87,507			$	93,311			$	(23,913	)		$	(69,398	)		$	87,507
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
	Year ended December 31, 2013
	Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
Net sales	$	—			$	2,085,421			$	418,066			$	—			$	2,503,487
Net sales to related parties	—				37,063				—				—				37,063
Transitional sales fees	—				1,513				—				—				1,513
Total net sales	—				2,123,997				418,066				—				2,542,063
Cost of sales	—				1,386,336				248,310				—				1,634,646
Gross profit	—				737,661				169,756				—				907,417
Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution, and marketing	—				435,120				93,113				—				528,233
General and administrative	76,178				72,960				48,388				—				197,526
Asset disposal and exit costs	—				14,426				9,800				—				24,226
Total operating expenses	76,178				522,506				151,301				—				749,985
Operating income (expense)	(76,178		)		215,155				18,455				—				157,432
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	17,944				—				83				—				18,027
Other expense (income), net	(90,608		)		84,776				2,003				—				(3,829		)
Total other expense (income)	(72,664		)		84,776				2,086				—				14,198
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(3,514		)		130,379				16,369				—				143,234
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,102		)		44,655				640				—				44,193
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(2,412		)		85,724				15,729				—				99,041
Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	101,453				15,729				—				(117,182		)		—
Net income (loss)	99,041				101,453				15,729				(117,182		)		99,041
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	19,248				19,248				18,520				(37,768		)		19,248
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	$	118,289			$	120,701			$	34,249			$	(154,950	)		$	118,289
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
	Year ended December 31, 2012
	Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
Net sales	$	—			$	1,807,380			$	367,994			$	—			$	2,175,374
Net sales to related parties	—				109,513				—				—				109,513
Transitional sales fees	—				4,551				—				—				4,551
Total net sales	—				1,921,444				367,994				—				2,289,438
Cost of sales	—				1,268,785				216,709				—				1,485,494
Gross profit	—				652,659				151,285				—				803,944
Related party license income	—				36,034				—				—				36,034
Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution, and marketing	—				405,741				86,389				—				492,130
General and administrative	5,604				118,916				43,075				—				167,595
Total operating expenses	5,604				524,657				129,464				—				659,725
Operating income (loss)	(5,604		)		164,036				21,821				—				180,253
Other expense (income):
Interest expense (income)	3,829				6,284				(189		)		—				9,924
Other expense (income), net	1,151				1,865				(2,059		)		—				957
Total other expense (income)	4,980				8,149				(2,248		)		—				10,881
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(10,584		)		155,887				24,069				—				169,372
Income tax expense (benefit)	(3,932		)		59,228				1,562				—				56,858
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(6,652		)		96,659				22,507				—				112,514
Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	120,346				23,687				—				(144,033		)		—
Income (loss) from continuing operations	113,694				120,346				22,507				(144,033		)		112,514
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	—				—				403				—				403
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—				—				2,056				—				2,056
Net income (loss)	113,694				120,346				24,966				(144,033		)		114,973
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	—				—				(1,279		)		—				(1,279		)
Net income (loss) attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	113,694				120,346				23,687				(144,033		)		113,694
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	8,647				8,647				8,647				(17,294		)		8,647
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	$	122,341			$	128,993			$	32,334			$	(161,327	)		$	122,341
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
				Year ended December 31, 2014
				Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
				(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
		Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		$	(6,140	)		$	230,511			$	60,242			$	—			$	284,613
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
	Investment in equity method investments			—				(3,000		)		(47,285		)		—				(50,285		)
	Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired			—				(798,446		)		—				—				(798,446		)
	Payments for property, plant, and equipment			(42,106		)		(191,160		)		(59,091		)		—				(292,357		)
	Intercompany contributions			(766,016		)		—				—				766,016				—
	Proceeds from sale of fixed assets			—				464				—				—				464
		Net cash used in investing activities		(808,122		)		(992,142		)		(106,376		)		766,016				(1,140,624		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
	Intercompany contributions			—				762,526				3,490				(766,016		)		—
	Proceeds from the issuance of debt			1,025,000				—				—				—				1,025,000
	Repayment of debt			(15,000		)		—				—				—				(15,000		)
	Payments of capital lease obligations			—				(1,044		)		—				—				(1,044		)
	Proceeds from revolver line of credit			625,400				—				—				—				625,400
	Payments for revolver line of credit			(803,050		)		—				—				—				(803,050		)
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options			3,092				—				—				—				3,092
	Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units			(7,446		)		—				—				—				(7,446		)
	Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			4,466				—				—				—				4,466
	Payment of deferred financing costs			(18,200		)		—				—				—				(18,200		)
		Net cash provided by financing activities		814,262				761,482				3,490				(766,016		)		813,218
		Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—				—				(8,072		)		—				(8,072		)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS				—				(149		)		(50,716		)		—				(50,865		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				—				673				100,432				—				101,105
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period				$	—			$	524			$	49,716			$	—			$	50,240
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
				Year ended December 31, 2013
				Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
				(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
		Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	(42,336	)		$	179,293			$	47,984			$	—			$	184,941
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
	Payments for property, plant, and equipment			(5,499		)		(109,250		)		(17,020		)		—				(131,769		)
	Intercompany contributions			—				(161,645		)		—				161,645				—
	Proceeds from sale of fixed assets			—				92,352				—				—				92,352
		Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(5,499		)		(178,543		)		(17,020		)		161,645				(39,417		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
	Intercompany contributions			158,092				—				3,553				(161,645		)		—
	Distributions to Dean Foods, net			(829		)		(126		)		84				—				(871		)
	Repayment of debt			(15,000		)		—				—				—				(15,000		)
	Proceeds from revolver line of credit			624,150				—				—				—				624,150
	Payments for revolver line of credit			(727,050		)		—				—				—				(727,050		)
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options			1,298				—				—				—				1,298
	Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			515				—				—				—				515
	Payment of deferred financing costs			(16		)		—				—				—				(16		)
		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		41,160				(126		)		3,637				(161,645		)		(116,974		)
		Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—				—				3,182				—				3,182
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS				(6,675		)		624				37,783				—				31,732
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				6,675				49				62,649				—				69,373
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period				$	—			$	673			$	100,432			$	—			$	101,105
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
				Year ended December 31, 2012
				Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
				(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
		Net cash provided by operating activities		$	33,879			$	157,988			$	44,654			$	—			$	236,521
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
	Payments for property, plant, and equipment			—				(91,315		)		(11,616		)		—				(102,931		)
	Intercompany contributions			(1,162,891		)		—				(16,851		)		1,179,742				—
	Proceeds from recoveries			—				3,356				—				—				3,356
	Proceeds from sale of fixed assets			—				879				611				—				1,490
		Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations		(1,162,891		)		(87,080		)		(27,856		)		1,179,742				(98,085		)
		Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - discontinued operations		—				—				5,900				—				5,900
		Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(1,162,891		)		(87,080		)		(21,956		)		1,179,742				(92,185		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
	Intercompany contributions			—				1,179,742				—				(1,179,742		)		—
	Distributions to Dean Foods, net			—				(89,867		)		(40,977		)		—				(130,844		)
	Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs			367,540				—				—				—				367,540
	Proceeds from the issuance of Term A-1 and Term A-2 facilities			500,000				—				—				—				500,000
	Repayment of intercompany notes to Dean Foods			—				(1,155,000		)		—				—				(1,155,000		)
	Proceeds from revolver line of credit			519,200				—				—				—				519,200
	Payments for revolver line of credit			(238,650		)		—				—				—				(238,650		)
	Proceeds from receivables-backed facility			—				—				150,735				—				150,735
	Payments for receivables-backed facility			—				—				(166,650		)		—				(166,650		)
	Payment of deferred financing costs			(12,403		)		—				—				—				(12,403		)
	Capital contribution from (distribution to) non-controlling interest			—				(6,046		)		—				—				(6,046		)
		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations		1,135,687				(71,171		)		(56,892		)		(1,179,742		)		(172,118		)
		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations		—				—				(269		)		—				(269		)
		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		1,135,687				(71,171		)		(57,161		)		(1,179,742		)		(172,387		)
		Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—				—				437				—				437
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS				6,675				(263		)		(34,026		)		—				(27,614		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				—				312				96,675				—				96,987
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period				$	6,675			$	49			$	62,649			$	—			$	69,373

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)	Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)
	The following is a summary of our unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2014 and 2013:
		Quarter
		First		Second		Third			Fourth
		(In thousands, except share and per share data)
	2014
	Net sales	$	830,223	$	837,926	$	857,467		$	910,989
	Gross profit	273,214		285,260		292,756			301,934
	Income from continuing operations	32,360		34,407		40,857			32,561
	Net income	32,360		34,407		40,857			32,561
	Earnings per common share(1):
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Net income per common share	0.19		0.2		0.23			0.19
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Net income per common share	0.18		0.19		0.23			0.18
	2013
	Net sales	$	608,244	$	615,990	$	638,518		$	679,311
	Gross profit	218,543		224,213		226,452			238,209
	Income from continuing operations	23,998		31,209		24,293		-2	19,541		-3
	Net income	23,998		31,209		24,293		-2	19,541		-3
	Earnings per common share(1):
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Net income per common share	0.14		0.18		0.14			0.11
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Net income per common share	0.14		0.18		0.14			0.11
	___________________________
	-1	Earnings per common share calculations for each of the quarters were based on the basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding for each quarter. The sum of the quarters may not necessarily be equal to the full year earnings per common share amount.
	-2	Includes a non-cash write-down of assets in the amount of $7.4 million ($4.5 million net of tax) related to the sale of the Idaho dairy farm.
	-3	Includes an additional $3.7 million ($2.3 million net of tax) non-cash write-down of assets and $3.3 million ($2.0 million net of tax) charge related to lease liabilities, severance and related cost for the sale of the Idaho dairy farm, as well as, a write-down of $9.8 million related to the plan to sell the operations of SoFine.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events
	We evaluate subsequent events and reflect accounting and disclosure requirements related to material subsequent events in our financial statements and related notes. We did not identify any material subsequent events impacting our financial statements in this report.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The contribution of WWF Opco to WhiteWave was treated as a reorganization of entities under common control under Dean Foods. As a result, we retrospectively presented the consolidated financial position and results of operations of WhiteWave and WWF Opco for 2012.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting principally of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
Consolidation	Consolidation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and reflect the elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. Our former investment in a variable interest entity of which we were the primary beneficiary is also consolidated. We reflected the remaining portion of the variable interest entity that is not wholly-owned as non-controlling interest related to our Hero Group (“Hero”) joint venture.
	All sales and financing transactions with Dean Foods and its subsidiaries are considered to be settled for cash in the consolidated statement of cash flows at the time the transaction is recorded for periods prior to completion of our initial public offering. All transactions and balances between us and other wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dean Foods are reported in the consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to use our judgment to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, cash is comprised of cash held in bank accounts. We consider temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Our products are valued using the first-in, first-out method. The costs of finished goods inventories include raw materials, direct labor, indirect production, and overhead costs. Reserves for obsolete or excess inventory are not material.
Property, Plant, and Equipment	Property, Plant, and Equipment
	Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost, plus capitalized interest on borrowings during the actual construction period of major capital projects. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance that do not improve or extend the life of the assets are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
	Asset	Useful life
	Buildings	15 to 40 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 20 years
	Computer software	3 to 8 years
	Leasehold improvements	Over the shorter of the term of the applicable lease agreement or useful life
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Our goodwill and identifiable intangible assets have resulted from acquisitions. Upon acquisition, the purchase price is first allocated to identifiable assets and liabilities, including customer-related intangible assets and trademarks, with any remaining purchase price recorded as goodwill. Goodwill and trademarks with indefinite lives are not amortized.
	A trademark is determined to have an indefinite life if it has a history of strong sales and cash flow performance that we expect to continue for the foreseeable future. If these perpetual trademark criteria are not met, the trademarks are amortized over their expected useful lives. Determining the expected life of a trademark is based on a number of factors including the competitive environment, trademark history, and anticipated future trademark support.
	Identifiable intangible assets, other than indefinite-lived trademarks, are typically amortized over the following range of estimated useful lives:
	Asset	Useful life
	Customer lists and relationships	3 to 15 years
	Finite-lived trademarks	5 to 15 years
Impairment	Impairment
	In accordance with accounting standards related to goodwill and other intangibles assets, we do not amortize goodwill and other intangible assets determined to have indefinite useful lives. Instead, we conduct impairment tests on our goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks annually in the fourth quarter and on an interim basis when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Our reporting units are based on our operating segments.
	A quantitative assessment of goodwill was performed in 2014 and a qualitative assessment of goodwill was performed in 2013 and 2012. We assessed economic conditions and industry and market considerations, in addition to the overall financial performance of each of our reporting units. Based on the results of our assessment, we determined that it was not more likely than not that any of our reporting units had a carrying value in excess of its fair value. Accordingly, no further goodwill impairment testing was completed. We did not recognize any impairment charges related to goodwill during 2014, 2013, or 2012.
	A qualitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangibles was performed during 2014 and 2013. In 2012, a quantitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangibles was performed. We assessed economic conditions and industry and market considerations, in addition to the overall financial performance of each trade name. Based on the results of our assessment, we determined that it was not more likely than not that any of our trade names had a carrying value in excess of its fair value. Accordingly, no further indefinite-lived intangibles impairment testing was completed. We did not recognize any impairment charges related to indefinite-lived intangibles during 2014, 2013, or 2012.
	Long-lived assets, including property, plant, and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and prior to any goodwill impairment test. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. There were no indicators of impairment in 2014 or 2013, apart from our asset exit and disposal activities recorded in 2013. See Note 3 “Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture.”
Equity Method Investments	Equity Method Investments
	Consolidated net income includes the Company's proportionate share of the net income or loss of the companies in which we have invested. The carry values of our equity method investments are increased or decreased by our proportionate share of the net income or loss and other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI") of these companies.
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans
	Prior to the Distribution, we participated in Dean Foods’ consolidated defined contribution plan and contributed to a multiemployer pension plan on behalf of some of our employees. Effective upon the Distribution, the Company implemented its own substantially similar employee benefit plans and our employees are no longer eligible to participate in Dean Foods’ plans. We also have three separate, stand-alone defined benefit pension plans as a result of the acquisition of Alpro on July 2, 2009, and we contribute to one multiemployer pension plan on behalf of certain of our North America employees.
	We recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit pension plans as an asset or liability on our consolidated balance sheets and recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which changes occur, through accumulated other comprehensive loss. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligation (the projected benefit obligation for pension plans). Actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits that have not been recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost previously are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Plan assets and obligations are measured as of December 31 of each year. See Note 15 “Employee Retirement Plans.”
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments
	We use derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging commercial risk exposures to fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates and raw materials purchasing. Our derivative instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. For a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s mark to fair value is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged item is settled. The ineffective portion of the mark to fair value associated with all hedges is reported in earnings immediately. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are marked to fair value with gains and losses immediately recorded in earnings. In the consolidated statements of income, derivative activities are classified based on the nature of the items being hedged.
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation
	On August 7, 2012, the Dean Foods Compensation Committee, the Dean Foods board of directors, and our board of directors approved the terms of our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 SIP”). 20 million shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2012 SIP upon the exercise of future stock options, restricted stock units, or restricted stock that will be issued under our employee benefit plans. The purpose of the plan is to attract and retain non-employee directors, executive personnel, other key employees and consultants, motivate them by means of performance related incentives, and enable them to participate in our growth and financial success. Eligibility to participate in the 2012 SIP is limited to our employees (including officers and directors who are employees), non-employee directors, and consultants, and employees, non-employee directors, and consultants of our subsidiaries.
	Share-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period based on the grant date fair value. The fair value of option awards is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of the grant. Compensation expense is recognized only for equity awards expected to vest. Share-based compensation expense is included within general and administrative expenses.
	Pursuant to the SIP and in connection with our initial public offering, the Company granted equity to certain of our executive officers and employees (the “IPO Grants”). Prior to the Distribution, certain of the Company’s employees participated in share-based compensation plans sponsored by Dean Foods. These plans provided employees with RSUs, options to purchase shares of Dean Foods’ common stock, and other stock-based awards. Given that the Company’s employees directly benefit from participation in these plans, the expense incurred by Dean Foods for stock and options granted specifically to our employees has been reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. These amounts were based on the awards and terms previously granted to our employees, but may not reflect the equity awards or results that we would have experienced as a stand-alone public company. No new grants of Dean Foods’ equity were made to our employees after completion of our initial public offering.
	On May 23, 2013 and in connection with the Distribution, all Dean Foods equity-based awards held by 162 of our non-employee directors and employees were converted into equity-based awards with respect to our Class A common stock. See Note 13 “Share-Based Compensation" for further discussion.
Revenue Recognition, Sales Incentives and Trade Accounts Receivable	Revenue Recognition, Sales Incentives and Trade Accounts Receivable
	Sales are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the product has been delivered to the customer, and there is a reasonable assurance of collection of the sales proceeds. Sales are recorded net of allowances for returns, trade promotions, and other discounts. We routinely offer sales incentives and discounts through various regional and national programs to our customers and to consumers. These programs include rebates, shelf-price reductions, in-store display incentives, coupons, and other trade promotional activities. These programs, as well as amounts paid to customers for shelf-space in retail stores, are considered reductions in the price of our products and thus are recorded as reductions to gross sales. Some of these incentives are recorded by estimating incentive costs based on our historical experience and expected levels of performance of the trade promotion. We maintain allowances at the end of each period for the estimated incentive costs incurred but unpaid for these programs, which are recorded as a reduction in our trade accounts receivable balance. Differences between estimated and actual incentive costs are normally not material and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined.
	We generally provide credit terms to customers of net 10 days, from invoice date in the U.S. In Europe, however, terms vary by country. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and maintain allowances for potential credit losses based on our historical experience. Bad debt expense associated with uncollectible accounts for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was immaterial. Estimated product returns historically have not been material.
Related Party Sales and Transitional Sales Fees	Related Party Sales and Transitional Sales Fees
	Sales to wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dean Foods of raw materials and the finished products that we manufacture have been reflected as related party sales in our consolidated statements of income through the Distribution date.
	In connection with our initial public offering, we entered into an agreement with Morningstar Foods, LLC (“Morningstar”), pursuant to which it transferred back to us responsibility for its sales and associated costs of certain WhiteWave products. Morningstar remitted to us the cash representing the net profit collected from these product sales until such time as the sales were transitioned to us. The net effect of the agreement is reflected as transitional sales fees in our consolidated statements of income. We also entered into an agreement with Morningstar pursuant to which we transferred to Morningstar responsibility for the sales and associated costs of our aerosol whipped topping and other non-core products. During this transition, we provided certain services to Morningstar which included, but were not limited to, taking and filling orders, collecting receivables and shipping products to customers. We remitted to Morningstar the net profit associated with these product sales until the sales transitioned to Morningstar. See Note 4 “Transactions with Morningstar Foods, LLC.”
Cost of Goods Sold	Cost of Goods Sold
	Cost of goods sold represents the costs directly related to the manufacturing, farming and distribution of the Company’s products and primarily includes raw materials, packaging, co-packer fees, shipping and handling, warehousing, package design, depreciation, amortization, royalties, direct and indirect labor and operating costs for the Company’s manufacturing, farming and distribution.
Advertising Expense	Advertising Expense
	We market our products through advertising and other promotional activities, including media and agency. Advertising expense is charged to income during the period incurred, except for expenses related to the development of a major commercial or media campaign which are charged to income during the period in which the advertisement or campaign is first presented to the public.
Shipping and Handling Fees	Shipping and Handling Fees
	Our shipping and handling costs are included in both cost of sales and selling, distribution and marketing expense, depending on the nature of such costs. In cost of sales, we include inventory warehouse costs and product loading and handling costs at Company-owned facilities.
Insurance Accruals	Insurance Accruals
	We retain selected levels of property and casualty risks, employee health care and other casualty losses. Many of these potential losses are covered under conventional insurance programs with third-party carriers with high deductible limits. In other areas, we are self-insured with stop-loss coverage. Accrued liabilities for incurred but not reported losses related to these retained risks are calculated based upon loss development factors which contemplate a number of factors including claims history and expected trends. These loss development factors are developed in consultation with external insurance brokers and actuaries.
Research and Development	Research and Development
	Our research and development activities primarily consist of generating and testing new product concepts, new flavors, and packaging and are primarily internal. We expense research and development costs as incurred and they primarily relate to compensation, facility costs and purchased research and development services, materials and supplies.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation
	The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. Dollars. The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is generally the local currency of the country. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. Dollars at period-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at the average rates prevailing during the period. Changes in exchange rates that affect cash flows and the related receivables or payables are recognized as transaction gains and losses. Our transaction gains and losses are reflected in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations. The cumulative translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reflects the unrealized adjustments resulting from translating the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	We account for deferred income taxes based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. We also recognize deferred tax assets for operating loss and other tax carryforwards. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized.
	We record a liability for uncertain tax positions to the extent a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return does not meet certain recognition or measurement criteria. We apply a more likely than not threshold to the recognition and derecognition of uncertain tax positions. Accordingly, we recognize the amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being ultimately realized upon settlement. Future changes in judgment related to the expected ultimate resolution of uncertain tax positions will affect earnings in the quarter of such change. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements. We recognize interest related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, are recorded in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of income.
	For periods prior to the Distribution, our income tax provision was prepared on a separate return basis as if the Company was a stand-alone entity. Prior to the Distribution, the Company was included in the Dean Foods’ U.S. consolidated federal income tax return and also filed some state income tax returns on a combined basis with Dean Foods. For periods subsequent to the Distribution, the Company is filing its own U.S. federal and state income tax returns. In addition, as a result of being included in the Dean Foods’ U.S. consolidated federal income tax return and Dean Foods’ payment of domestic taxes, federal and state current income taxes payable for periods prior to the completion of our initial public offering on October 31, 2012, are included in Dean Foods’ net investment in the Company’s consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity. Foreign income tax liabilities are paid by the Company and therefore are included in income taxes payable in the consolidated balance sheets. As part of the tax matters agreement with Dean Foods, the Company has agreed to reimburse Dean Foods and Dean Foods has agreed to reimburse the Company, as applicable, for any pre-Distribution tax liabilities that may be redetermined by a taxing authority in the future to the extent the redetermination relates to the other company's business.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items, to eliminate from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. This guidance applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption will not have an impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, to provide guidance on management's responsibility to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related disclosure requirements. This guidance applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The adoption will not have an impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606, to clarify the principles used to recognize revenue for all entities. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, to change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and modify related disclosure requirements. The new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for the Company beginning with its Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2015. We will evaluate the effects, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. ASU 2013-11 requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with certain exceptions. ASU 2013-11 is effective for the Company in the period beginning January 1, 2014. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2014 and its adoption had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-5, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830), clarifying the applicable guidance for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment. ASU 2013-5 is effective for the Company in the period beginning January 1, 2014. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2014 and its adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Segment, Geographic and Customer Information	We evaluate the performance of our segments based on sales and operating income. The amounts in the following tables are obtained from reports used by our chief operating decision maker. There are no significant non-cash items reported in segment profit or loss other than depreciation and amortization.
	The reporting segments do not include the costs allocated to us by Dean Foods for certain corporate and shared service functions. In addition, the expense related to share-based compensation has not been allocated to our segments and is reflected entirely within the caption “Corporate and other.” Related party license income, further described in Note 18 “Related Party Transactions,” has also been excluded. Therefore, the measure of segment profit or loss presented below is before such items.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Lives of Property, Plant, and Equipment	Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
	Asset	Useful life
	Buildings	15 to 40 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 20 years
	Computer software	3 to 8 years
	Leasehold improvements	Over the shorter of the term of the applicable lease agreement or useful life
Estimated Useful Lives of Intangible Assets	Identifiable intangible assets, other than indefinite-lived trademarks, are typically amortized over the following range of estimated useful lives:
	Asset	Useful life
	Customer lists and relationships	3 to 15 years
	Finite-lived trademarks	5 to 15 years

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_1

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations, Discontinued Operations, and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Allocation of Purchase Price	The following table summarizes allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
		January 2, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Assets acquired:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,638
	Inventories	22,299
	Other current assets	54,260
	Property, plant and equipment	147,390
	Trademarks	150,700
	Intangible assets with finite lives	104,900
	Liabilities assumed:
	Accounts payable and other accruals	58,328
	Deferred taxes	26,857
	Obligations under capital leases	22,646
	Total identifiable net assets	377,356
	Goodwill	231,309
	Total purchase price	$	608,665
	The following table summarizes allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The allocation of the purchase price in the table below is preliminary and subject to change based on the finalization of the purchase price.
		October 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Assets acquired:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,552
	Inventories	22,145
	Other current assets	9,727
	Property, plant and equipment	8,613
	Trademarks	53,216
	Intangible assets with finite lives	28,865
	Liabilities assumed:
	Accounts payable and other accruals	11,683
	Obligations under capital leases	321
	Total identifiable net assets	112,114
	Goodwill	84,857
	Total purchase price	$	196,971
Schedule of Unaudited Supplemental Pro Forma	The following table summarizes unaudited supplemental pro forma consolidated results of operations as if we acquired Earthbound Farm on January 1, 2012:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014		2013			2012
		(In thousands, except share data)
	Net sales	$	3,436,605	$	3,075,737		$	2,767,749
	Operating income	273,844		201,602			180,890
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.83	$	0.72		$	0.71
Schedule of Liabilities Recorded	In addition to the impairment charge, we recorded a charge of $3.3 million related to lease liabilities, severance and related costs in connection with the Idaho dairy farm sale. Liabilities recorded and the changes therein for the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
		Accrued charges at December 31, 2013		Costs paid or otherwise settled			Reversal of prior expense			Accrued charges at December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Lease liability	$	2,674	$	(2,192	)	$	(482	)	$	—
	Severance and related costs	632		(598		)	(34		)	—
	Total	$	3,306	$	(2,790	)	$	(516	)	$	—

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Operating Results of Discontinued Operations	The following is a summary of the operating results of our discontinued operations:
			Year ended December 31,
			2012
		(In thousands)
	Operations:
	Net sales		$	—
	Income before income taxes		2,559
	Income tax (expense)		(503		)
	Net income		2,056
	Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		1,279

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories	Inventories consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials and supplies	$	101,418	$	67,956
	Finished goods	114,251		90,613
	Total	$	215,669	$	158,569

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Land	$	51,408		$	38,968
	Buildings	408,617			295,057
	Machinery and equipment	909,457			696,513
	Leasehold improvements	15,058			10,136
	Construction in progress	122,919			59,584
		1,507,459			1,100,258
	Less accumulated depreciation	(514,252		)	(440,575		)
	Total	$	993,207		$	659,683

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Americas Foods & Beverages		Americas Fresh Foods			Europe Foods & Beverages			Total
		(In thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	600,316	$	—		$	165,270		$	765,586
	Foreign currency translation	—		—			6,757			6,757
	Balance at December 31, 2013	600,316		—			172,027			772,343
	Acquisition	84,857		231,309			—			316,166
	Foreign currency translation	—		—			(20,233		)	(20,233		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	685,173	$	231,309		$	151,794		$	1,068,276
Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill	The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets other than goodwill as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		December 31,
		2014								2013
		Gross		Accumulated			Net			Gross			Accumulated			Net
		carrying		amortization			carrying			carrying			amortization			carrying
		amount					amount			amount						amount
		(In thousands)
	Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
	Trademarks (1)	$	547,072	$	—		$	547,072		$	354,527		$	—		$	354,527
	Intangible assets with finite lives:
	Customer-related and other	158,302		(26,677		)	131,625			39,221			(17,826		)	21,395
	Supplier relationships	12,000		(960		)	11,040			—			—			—
	Non-compete agreements	600		(200		)	400			—			—			—
	Trademarks	968		(964		)	4			968			(963		)	5
	Total	$	718,942	$	(28,801	)	$	690,141		$	394,716		$	(18,789	)	$	375,927
Estimated Aggregate Finite-Lived Intangible Asset Amortization Expense	Estimated aggregate finite-lived intangible asset amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	12,050
	2016	11,731
	2017	11,521
	2018	11,491
	2019	10,354

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_E1

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Components of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Accounts payable	$	297,140	$	238,525
	Payroll and benefits	77,726		60,276
	Derivative liability (Note 12)	27,448		18,889
	Other accrued liabilities	67,450		39,416
	Total	$	469,764	$	357,106

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	Income from continuing operations before income taxes is comprised of the following:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Domestic	$	174,594			$	124,441			$	149,417
	Foreign	49,854				18,793				19,955
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	224,448			$	143,234			$	169,372
Component of Income Tax Expense	Income tax expense consists of the following components:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012(1)
		(In thousands)
	Current income taxes:
	Federal	$	53,843			$	34,219			$	45,121
	State	9,750				7,937				8,581
	Foreign	8,502				2,082				2,394
	Total current income tax expense	72,095				44,238				56,096
	Deferred income taxes:
	Federal	3,629				2,072				3,454
	State	10				(1,990		)		(636		)
	Foreign	2,545				(127		)		(2,056		)
	Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)	6,184				(45		)		762
	Total income tax expense	$	78,279			$	44,193			$	56,858
	___________________________
	-1	Excludes $0.1 million in income tax expense related to discontinued operations.
Reconciliation of Income Taxes	A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Tax expense at statutory rate of 35%	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Foreign taxes versus U.S. statutory rate	(3.1	)%		(5.3	)%		(3.5	)%
	State income taxes	2.7	%		3.5	%		4	%
	U.S. manufacturing deduction	(2.1	)%		(2.4	)%		(2.1	)%
	Uncertain tax positions	1.7	%		(0.1	)%		(0.8	)%
	Non deductible transaction costs	0.5	%		0	%		2.7	%
	Deferred tax rate adjustments	(0.4	)%		(1.8	)%		(1.1	)%
	SoFine write-down	0	%		2.4	%		0	%
	Other	0.6	%		(0.4	)%		(0.6	)%
	Effective tax rate	34.9	%		30.9	%		33.6	%
Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities)	The tax effects of temporary differences giving rise to deferred income tax assets (liabilities) were:
		December 31,
		2014(1)				2013(2)
		(In thousands)
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	218			$	2,695
	Share-based compensation	23,415				21,630
	Derivative instruments	14,979				16,616
	Accrued liabilities	12,790				10,188
	Inventories	3,291				4,390
	Receivables	4,146				3,375
	Other	4,293				1,617
	Valuation allowances	(65		)		(126		)
	Total deferred income tax assets	63,067				60,385
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets	(163,548		)		(163,286		)
	Property, plant and equipment	(102,605		)		(108,276		)
	Partnership basis difference	(33,661		)		—
	Total deferred income tax liabilities	(299,814		)		(271,562		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(236,747	)		$	(211,177	)
	___________________________
	-1	Includes $2.0 million of deferred tax assets related to uncertain tax positions.
	-2	Includes $0.8 million of deferred tax assets related to uncertain tax positions.
Reconciliation of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending gross unrecognized tax benefits, recorded in our consolidated balance sheets:
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance at January 1	$	3,875			$	10,433			$	12,573
	Increases in tax positions for current year	2,524				1,756				20
	Increases in tax positions for prior years	2,332				1,562				459
	Decreases in tax positions for prior years	—				(2,565		)		(608		)
	Settlement of tax matters	(640		)		(5,992		)		(834		)
	Lapse of applicable statutes of limitations	(556		)		(1,319		)		(1,177		)
	Balance at December 31	$	7,535			$	3,875			$	10,433

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat1

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Outstanding Debt
		December 31,
		2014						2013
		Amount			Interest			Amount			Interest
		outstanding			rate			outstanding			rate
		(In thousands, except percentages)
	Senior secured credit facilities	$	995,000		2.11	%	*	$	662,650		1.76	%	*
	Senior unsecured notes	500,000			5.375	%		—
	Capital lease obligations	21,980						—
	Less current portion	(21,158		)				(15,000		)
	Total long-term debt	$	1,495,822					$	647,650
	___________________________
	*	Represents a weighted average rate, including applicable interest rate margins, for the senior secured revolving credit facility, Term Loan A-1, and Term Loan A-2.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt	The scheduled maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2014, were as follows (in thousands):
		Total			Term Loan A-1			Term Loan A-2			Senior Unsecured Notes			Capital Lease Obligations
	2015	$	21,158		$	12,500		$	7,500		$	—		$	1,158
	2016	22,801			14,062			7,500			—			1,239
	2017	27,567			18,750			7,500			—			1,317
	2018	29,215			20,313			7,500			—			1,402
	2019	190,242			181,250			7,500			—			1,492
	Thereafter	1,225,997			—			710,625			500,000			15,372
	Total outstanding debt	$	1,516,980		$	246,875		$	748,125		$	500,000		$	21,980

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Interest Rate Swap Agreements	The following table summarizes the terms of the interest rate swap agreements as of December 31, 2014:
	Fixed Interest Rates		Expiration Date		Notional Amount
					(In thousands)
	2.75% to 3.19%		March 31, 2017		$650,000
Schedule of Derivatives Recorded at Fair Value in Consolidated Balance Sheets	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, derivatives recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
		December 31,
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
		2014				2013		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Derivatives designated as Hedging Instruments
	Foreign currency contracts — current(1)	$	1,159			$	—	$	—		$	634
	Commodities contracts — current(1)	—				1,162		—			—
	Derivatives not designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate swap contracts — current(1)	—				—		17,562			18,255
	Commodities contracts — current(1)	—				—		9,886			—
	Interest rate swap contracts — noncurrent(2)	—				—		13,853			26,667
	Total derivatives	$	1,159			$	1,162	$	41,301		$	45,556
	___________________________
	-1	Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates equal to or less than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets.
	-2	Derivative liabilities that have settlement dates greater than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
Schedule of Gains and Losses on Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income were as follows:
		Year ended December 31 ,
		2014				2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	(Gains)/losses on foreign currency contracts(1)	$	547			$	358	$	(320	)
	(Gains)/losses on commodities contracts(2)	(1,299		)		1,031		—
	___________________________
	-1	Recorded in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations.
	-2	Recorded in selling, distribution and marketing expense or cost of sales, depending on commodity type, in our consolidated statements of income.
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	A summary of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		Fair value
		as of
		December 31, 2014				Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	25			$	25	$	—		$	—
	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan investments	2,635				2,635		—			—
	Insurance contracts	10,401				—		—			10,401
	Foreign currency contracts	1,159				—		1,159			—
	Deferred compensation investments	4,674				—		4,674			—
		$	18,894			$	2,660	$	5,833		$	10,401
	Liabilities:
	Senior unsecured notes	$	516			$	516	$	—		$	—
	Commodities contracts	9,886				—		9,886			—
	Interest rate swap contracts	31,415				—		31,415			—
		$	41,817			$	516	$	41,301		$	—
		Fair value
		as of
		December 31, 2013				Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	11,617			$	11,617	$	—		$	—
	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan investments	1,790				1,790		—			—
	Insurance contracts	11,731				—		—			11,731
	Commodities contracts	1,162				—		1,162			—
	Deferred compensation investments	4,637				—		4,637			—
		$	30,937			$	13,407	$	5,799		$	11,731
	Liabilities:
	Foreign currency contracts	$	634			$	—	$	634		$	—
	Interest rate swap contracts	44,922				—		44,922			—
		$	45,556			$	—	$	45,556		$	—

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense	The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense recognized for the Company’s equity and liability classified plans in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Share-based compensation expense:
	WhiteWave Stock options	$	10,741			$	8,371			$	1,828
	WhiteWave RSUs	15,907				9,060				3,667
	WhiteWave Phantom shares	2,658				6,607				2,593
	WhiteWave SARs	1,134				859				53
	Dean Foods CPUs	—				—				1,388
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	30,440			$	24,897			$	9,529
Schedule of Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following assumptions:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected volatility	28% - 29%		28%		28%
	Expected dividend yield	0%		0%		0%
	Expected option term	6 years		6 years		6 years
	Risk-free rate of return	1.82% to 2.10%		1.13% to 1.66%		1.05%
	Forfeiture rate	—%		3%		3%
Schedule of Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes stock option activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted				Weighted		Aggregate
		options			average				average		intrinsic
					exercise price				contractual life		value
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014	11,120,585			$	17.12
	Granted	1,218,996			26.54
	Forfeited, cancelled and expired(1)	(494,690	)		17.63
	Exercised	(495,605	)		18.96
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2014	11,349,286			$	18.03			5.97		$	192,468,796
	Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	11,349,286			$	18.03			5.97		$	192,468,796
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2014	8,107,231			$	17.63			5.07		$	140,767,707
	___________________________
	-1	Pursuant to the terms of the SIP, options that are cancelled expired or forfeited may be available for future grants.
Schedule of Options Outstanding and Exercisable	he following table summarizes information about options outstanding at December 31, 2014:
		Options outstanding									Options exercisable
	Range of	Number			Weighted-		Weighted-average				Number		Weighted-
	exercise prices	outstanding			average		exercise price				exercisable		average
					remaining								exercise price
					contractual life
	$9.38 to 9.52	1,166,277			6.07		$	9.51			1,166,277		$	9.51
	11.1	1,442,904			7.13		11.1				967,502		11.1
	11.12 to 14.71	429,763			5.15		13.4				424,349		13.4
	15.16	1,213,770			8.13		15.16				429,497		15.16
	15.17 to 16.91	74,752			7.01		15.93				49,081		15.75
	17	2,363,420			7.82		17				1,557,869		17
	17.19 to 23.33	1,836,482			3.82		20.96				1,694,927		20.82
	23.35 to 26.91	1,997,760			5.08		25.28				1,046,936		23.81
	27.69 to 32.12	817,444			2.54		27.87				770,793		27.78
	$34.90	6,714			9.65		$	34.9			—		$	—
Schedule of Additional Information on Stock Option Activity
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of options granted	$	8.62			$	4.42			$	4.91
	Intrinsic value of options exercised	12,158				2,616				—
	Fair value of shares vested	6,281				4,006				—
	Tax benefit related to stock option expense	3,864				2,769				236
Schedule of Restricted Stock Unit Activity	The following table summarizes RSU activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
	RSUs outstanding January 1, 2014	1,247,596
	RSUs issued	507,920
	Shares issued upon vesting of RSUs	(420,655		)
	RSUs cancelled or forfeited(1)	(266,510		)
	Converted from phantom shares	279,504
	RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,347,855
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	22.21
	___________________________
	-1	Pursuant to the terms of the SIP, employees have the option of withholding RSUs to cover their minimum statutory tax withholding when shares are issued. RSUs that are cancelled or forfeited may be available for future grants.
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Unit Activity	The following table summarizes nonvested RSU activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
	Nonvested RSUs outstanding January 1, 2014	1,173,960
	RSUs granted	507,920
	RSUs vested	(598,263		)
	RSUs cancelled or forfeited(1)	(266,510		)
	Converted from phantom shares	279,504
	Nonvested RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2014	$	1,096,611
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	22.91
	___________________________
	-1	Pursuant to the terms of the SIP, employees have the option of withholding RSUs to cover their minimum statutory tax withholding when shares are issued. RSUs that are cancelled or forfeited may be available for future grants.
Schedule of Additional Information on Restricted Stock Unit Activity	The following table summarizes information about our RSU grants and related tax benefit during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Weighted-average grant date fair value per RSU granted	$	26.79			$	15.2			$	16.98
	Tax benefit related to RSU expense	5,109				1,408				222
Schedule of Phantom Share Activity	The following table summarizes the phantom share activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Shares			Weighted-average
					grant date fair value
					per share
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	571,079			$	17.11
	Granted	1,614			17
	Converted/paid	(224,817	)		17.63
	Forfeited	(36,226	)		17.05
	Converted to RSUs	(279,504	)		16.81
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	32,146			$	16.19
	The following table summarizes nonvested phantom share activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
	Nonvested phantom shares outstanding January 1, 2014	571,079
	Phantom shares granted	1,614
	Phantom shares vested	(224,817		)
	Phantom shares cancelled or forfeited	(36,226		)
	Converted to RSUs	(279,504		)
	Nonvested phantom shares outstanding at December 31, 2014	$	32,146
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	16.19
Schedule of Valuation Assumptions for Stock Appreciation Rights	The fair value of each SAR is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following assumptions:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected volatility	—		28%		28%
	Expected dividend yield	—		0%		0%
	Expected option term	0 years		6 years		6 years
	Risk-free rate of return	—		1.13% to 1.66%		1.05%
Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Activity	The following table summarizes SAR activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted				Weighted		Aggregate
		SARs			average				average		intrinsic value
					exercise price				contractual life
	SARs outstanding at January 1, 2014	293,693			$	16.48
	Granted	—			—
	Forfeited and cancelled(1)	(14,153	)		16.52
	Exercised	(16,020	)		16.36
	SARs outstanding at December 31, 2014	263,520			$	16.49			7.91		$	4,875,529
	SARs vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	263,520			$	16.49			7.91		$	4,875,529
	SARs exercisable at December 31, 2014	147,040			$	16.73			7.87		$	2,685,616
	___________________________
	-1	Pursuant to the terms of the SIP, SARs that are cancelled or forfeited may be available for future grants.
Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity	The following table summarizes nonvested SARs activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
	Nonvested SARs outstanding January 1, 2014	223,318
	SARs granted	—
	SARs vested	(92,685		)
	SARs cancelled or forfeited	(14,153		)
	Nonvested SARs outstanding at December 31, 2014	$	116,480
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	16.19

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (net of tax):
		Derivative			Defined benefit pension plan (2)			Foreign currency			Total
		instruments(1)						translation
								adjustment
		(In thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	205		$	(793	)	$	(7,852	)	$	(8,440	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(183		)	(2,080		)	(51,990		)	(54,253		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	752			823			—			1,575
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of taxes of ($406)	569			(1,257		)	(51,990		)	(52,678		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	774		$	(2,050	)	$	(59,842	)	$	(61,118	)
		Derivative			Defined benefit pension plan (2)			Foreign currency			Total
		instruments(1)						translation
								adjustment
		(In thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	(294	)	$	(1,818	)	$	(25,576	)	$	(27,688	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	1,888			1,115			17,724			20,727
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1,389		)	(90		)	—			(1,479		)
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of taxes of $796	499			1,025			17,724			19,248
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	205		$	(793	)	$	(7,852	)	$	(8,440	)
	___________________________
	-1	The accumulated other comprehensive loss reclassification components affect cost of sales and selling, distribution and marketing. See Note 12 “Derivative Financial Instruments.”
	-2	The accumulated other comprehensive loss reclassification components are related to amortization of unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs which are both included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 15 “Employee Retirement Plans.”

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Tabl

Employee Retirement Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Retirement Plans Expenses	During 2014, 2013, and 2012, our retirement plans expenses were as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Defined benefit plans	$	951			$	2,050			$	1,804
	Defined contribution plan	3,397				3,163				2,210
	Multiemployer pension and certain union plans	1,758				1,683				1,658
	Total	$	6,106			$	6,896			$	5,672
Schedule of Reconciliation of Projected Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets	The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the funded status of the plans at December 31, 2014 and 2013, is as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013
		(In thousands)
	Change in Benefit Obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of the year	$	17,009			$	15,882
	Service cost	1,636				1,771
	Interest cost	545				545
	Plan participants’ contributions	—				57
	Plan amendments	—				(76		)
	Plan curtailments	(882		)		—
	Plan settlements	(1,439		)		—
	Actuarial (gain)/loss	2,537				(1,395		)
	Benefits paid	(511		)		(424		)
	Expenses paid	(17		)		(31		)
	Exchange rate changes	(2,143		)		680
	Benefit obligation, end of year	16,735				17,009
	Change in Plan Assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	11,731				9,819
	Actual return on plan assets	648				357
	Employer contributions to plan	1,361				1,492
	Plan participants’ contributions	—				57
	Plan settlements	(1,439		)		—
	Benefits paid	(511		)		(424		)
	Expenses paid	(17		)		(31		)
	Exchange rate changes	(1,372		)		461
	Fair value of plan assets, end of year	10,401				11,731
	Funded status at end of year	$	(6,334	)		$	(5,278	)
Schedule of Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations	A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Weighted average discount rate	2.03	%		3.79	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.92	%		3.87	%
Schedule of Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost	A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for 2014, 2013, and 2012 is as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Weighted average discount rate	3.79	%		3.5	%		4.5	%
	Expected return on assets	3.79	%		3.71	%		3.85	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.87	%		3.88	%		3.87	%
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	1,636			$	1,771			$	1,409
	Interest cost	545				545				513
	Expected return on plan assets	(407		)		(356		)		(191		)
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost	2				17				16
	Unrecognized net loss	3				73				3
	Curtailment gain	(690		)		—				—
	Settlement gain	(138		)		—				—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	951			$	2,050			$	1,750
Schedule of Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets	Pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets are as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Projected benefit obligation	$	16,735			$	3,601			$	3,237
	Accumulated benefit obligation	12,115				3,206				2,822
	Fair value of plan assets	10,401				1,902				1,463
Schedule of Estimated Pension Plan Benefit Payments	Estimated pension plan benefit payments to our participants for the next ten years are as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	218
	2016	2
	2017	69
	2018	260
	2019	2,434
	Next five years	4,156
Schedule of Change in Fair Value Measurement of Defined Benefit Plans	A reconciliation of the change in the fair value measurement of the defined benefit plans’ consolidated assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		Consolidated
		Assets
		(In thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	9,819
	Actual return on plan assets:
	Relating to instruments still held at reporting date	357
	Purchases, sales and settlements (net)	1,555
	Balance at December 31, 2013	11,731
	Actual return on plan assets:
	Relating to instruments still held at reporting date	648
	Purchases, sales and settlements (net)	(1,978		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	10,401
Schedule of Information Regarding Participation in Multiemployer Pension Plans	The last column in the table lists the expiration date of the collective-bargaining agreement to which the plan is subject.
	Pension fund	Employer		Pension		PPA Zone status				FIP/RP status		Extended	Expiration date of
		identification		plan						pending/		amortization	associated
		number		number						implemented		provisions	collective-bargaining
						2014		2013					agreement
	Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan(1)	91-6145047		1		Green		Green		N/A		No	February 28, 2015—
													January 28, 2017
	___________________________
	-1	We are party to one collective bargaining agreement in this multiemployer Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan which requires contributions. We are also party to two other collective bargaining agreements whose defined contribution plans are 401(k) plans that require matching contributions. These agreements cover a large number of employee participants and expire on various dates between 2015 and 2016.
Schedule of Information Regarding Contribution in Multiemployer Pension Plans	Information regarding our contributions to our multiemployer pension plan is shown in the table below. There are no changes that materially affected the comparability of our contributions to the plan during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 (in thousands).
		Employer		Pension		The WhiteWave Foods Company									Surcharge
		identification		plan											imposed
	Pension fund	number		number		2014				2013			2012
	Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan	91-6145047		1		$	1,758			$	1,683		$	1,658	No

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Future Minimum Payments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	Future minimum payments at December 31, 2014, under non-cancelable operating leases with terms in excess of one year are summarized below:
		Operating
		leases
		(In thousands)
	2015	$	25,962
	2016	17,589
	2017	13,950
	2018	10,087
	2019	9,205
	Thereafter	21,324
	Total minimum lease payments	$	98,117

Segment_Geographic_and_Custome1

Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summarized Income Statement Amounts by Segment	The following table presents the summarized income statement amounts by segment:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Total net sales:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	2,350,825		$	2,123,997		$	1,921,444
	Americas Fresh Foods	575,283			—			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	510,497			418,066			367,994
	Total	$	3,436,605		$	2,542,063		$	2,289,438
	Operating income:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	264,197		$	215,155		$	178,960
	Americas Fresh Foods	47,723			—			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	52,673			20,879			23,735
	Total reportable segment operating income	364,593			236,034			202,695
	Related party license income	—			—			36,034
	Corporate and other	(97,907		)	(78,602		)	(58,476		)
	Total operating income	$	266,686		$	157,432		$	180,253
	Other expense (income):
	Interest expense	36,972			18,027			9,924
	Other expense (income), net	5,266			(3,829		)	957
	Income from continuing operations before income tax	$	224,448		$	143,234		$	169,372
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	62,290		$	59,717		$	54,499
	Americas Fresh Foods	25,771			—			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	21,143			21,628			19,855
	Corporate	1,363			560			—
	Total	$	110,567		$	81,905		$	74,354
Sales Amounts by Product Categories	The following tables present sales amounts by product categories:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Total net sales:
	Americas Foods & Beverages
	Plant-based food and beverages	$	715,667		$	627,716		$	549,727
	Coffee creamers and beverages	990,998			913,517			818,880
	Premium dairy	644,160			582,764			552,837
	Americas Foods & Beverages net sales	2,350,825			2,123,997			1,921,444
	Americas Fresh Foods
	Organic salads, fruits and vegetables	575,283			—			—
	Americas Fresh Foods net sales	575,283			—			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages
	Europe Foods & Beverages net sales	510,497			418,066			367,994
	Total net sales	$	3,436,605		$	2,542,063		$	2,289,438
Summarized Balance Sheet Amounts by Segment	The following tables present assets, long-lived assets, and capital expenditures by segment:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	1,935,524		$	1,588,104
	Americas Fresh Foods	713,211			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	563,963			563,026
	Corporate	160,143			132,054
	Total	$	3,372,841		$	2,283,184
	Long-lived Assets:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	638,618		$	484,739
	Americas Fresh Foods	157,079			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	184,506			163,860
	Corporate	13,004			11,084
	Total	$	993,207		$	659,683
		Year ended December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Capital expenditures:
	Americas Foods & Beverages	$	208,623		$	128,877
	Americas Fresh Foods	28,497			—
	Europe Foods & Beverages	62,147			20,732
	Corporate	3,007			5,869
	Total	$	302,274		$	155,478

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Calculation of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the computations of both basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(In thousands, except share and per share data)
	Basic earnings per share computation:
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations	140,185		$	99,041	$	112,514
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares	174,013,700		173,120,689		153,770,492
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.81	$	0.57	$	0.73
	Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations	—		—		0.01
	Basic earnings per share from net income	$	0.81	$	0.57	$	0.74
	Diluted earnings per share computation:
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations	$	140,185	$	99,041	$	112,514
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares — basic	174,013,700		173,120,689		153,770,492
	Stock option conversion(1)	3,268,052		820,743		—
	Stock units(2)	668,164		640,036		5
	Weighted average common shares — diluted	177,949,916		174,581,468		153,770,497
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.79	$	0.57	$	0.73
	Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations	—		—		0.01
	Basic earnings per share from net income	$	0.79	$	0.57	$	0.74
	___________________________
	-1	3,599, 4,045,309, and 2,445,327 anti-dilutive options were excluded from the calculation for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	-2	1,344, 10, and 666,999 anti-dilutive RSUs were excluded from the calculation for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Supplemental_Guarantor_Financi1

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
		31-Dec-14
		Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—			$	524			$	49,716			$	—			$	50,240
	Trade receivables, net of allowance	317				134,352				58,023				—				192,692
	Inventories	—				182,770				32,899				—				215,669
	Deferred income taxes	12,305				15,742				2,216				—				30,263
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,014				18,318				13,991				—				50,323
	Intercompany receivables	1,087,095				504,442				—				(1,591,537		)		—
	Total current assets	1,117,731				856,148				156,845				(1,591,537		)		539,187
	Equity method investments	—				3,000				40,160								43,160
	Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	1,968,899				438,832				—				(2,407,731		)		—
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	7,953				795,696				189,558				—				993,207
	Deferred income taxes	20,835				—				—				(20,835		)		—
	Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	31,803				600,592				96,616				—				729,011
	Goodwill	—				916,482				151,794				—				1,068,276
	Total Assets	$	3,147,221			$	3,610,750			$	634,973			$	(4,020,103	)		$	3,372,841
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	41,478			$	319,247			$	109,039			$	—			$	469,764
	Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	20,000				1,158				—				—				21,158
	Income taxes payable	—				—				496				—				496
	Intercompany payables	504,442				1,062,081				25,014				(1,591,537		)		—
	Total current liabilities	565,920				1,382,486				134,549				(1,591,537		)		491,418
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,475,000				20,822				—				—				1,495,822
	Deferred income taxes	—				236,983				50,862				(20,835		)		267,010
	Other long-term liabilities	29,814				1,560				10,730				—				42,104
	Total liabilities	2,070,734				1,641,851				196,141				(1,612,372		)		2,296,354
	Total shareholders' equity	1,076,487				1,968,899				438,832				(2,407,731		)		1,076,487
	Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	3,147,221			$	3,610,750			$	634,973			$	(4,020,103	)		$	3,372,841
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
		31-Dec-13
		Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—			$	673			$	100,432			$	—			$	101,105
	Trade receivables, net of allowance	332				100,124				46,408				—				146,864
	Inventories	—				124,964				33,605				—				158,569
	Deferred income taxes	12,671				10,652				3,265				—				26,588
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,650				9,304				10,141				—				23,095
	Intercompany receivables	97,619				244,502				—				(342,121		)		—
	Total current assets	114,272				490,219				193,851				(342,121		)		456,221
	Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	1,783,006				464,420				—				(2,247,426		)		—
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	6,028				484,739				168,916				—				659,683
	Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	40,762				267,983				110,726				(24,534		)		394,937
	Goodwill	—				600,316				172,027				—				772,343
	Total Assets	$	1,944,068			$	2,307,677			$	645,520			$	(2,614,081	)		$	2,283,184
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	39,727			$	222,022			$	95,357			$	—			$	357,106
	Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	15,000				—				—				—				15,000
	Income taxes payable	13,079				—				1,215				—				14,294
	Intercompany payables	227,549				95,175				19,397				(342,121		)		—
	Total current liabilities	295,355				317,197				115,969				(342,121		)		386,400
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	647,650				—				—				—				647,650
	Deferred income taxes	—				205,860				56,439				(24,534		)		237,765
	Other long-term liabilities	39,624				1,614				8,692				—				49,930
	Total liabilities	982,629				524,671				181,100				(366,655		)		1,321,745
	Total shareholders' equity	961,439				1,783,006				464,420				(2,247,426		)		961,439
	Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	1,944,068			$	2,307,677			$	645,520			$	(2,614,081	)		$	2,283,184
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
		Year ended December 31, 2014
		Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
		(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	—			$	2,926,108			$	510,497			$	—			$	3,436,605
	Cost of goods sold	—				1,991,748				291,693				—				2,283,441
	Gross profit	—				934,360				218,804				—				1,153,164
	Operating expenses:
	Selling, distribution, and marketing	—				505,567				116,299				—				621,866
	General and administrative	92,122				117,938				55,618				—				265,678
	Asset disposal and exit costs	—				(1,066		)		—				—				(1,066		)
	Total operating expenses	92,122				622,439				171,917				—				886,478
	Operating income (loss)	(92,122		)		311,921				46,887				—				266,686
	Other expense (income):
	Interest expense	35,555				1,219				198				—				36,972
	Other expense (income), net	(131,251		)		134,037				2,480				—				5,266
	Total other expense (income)	(95,696		)		135,256				2,678				—				42,238
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries	3,574				176,665				44,209				—				224,448
	Income tax expense	9,378				60,010				8,891				—				78,279
	Loss in equity method investments	—				—				5,984				—				5,984
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(5,804		)		116,655				29,334				—				140,185
	Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	145,989				29,334				—				(175,323		)		—
	Net income (loss)	140,185				145,989				29,334				(175,323		)		140,185
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	(52,678		)		(52,678		)		(53,247		)		105,925				(52,678		)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	$	87,507			$	93,311			$	(23,913	)		$	(69,398	)		$	87,507
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
		Year ended December 31, 2013
		Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
		(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	—			$	2,085,421			$	418,066			$	—			$	2,503,487
	Net sales to related parties	—				37,063				—				—				37,063
	Transitional sales fees	—				1,513				—				—				1,513
	Total net sales	—				2,123,997				418,066				—				2,542,063
	Cost of sales	—				1,386,336				248,310				—				1,634,646
	Gross profit	—				737,661				169,756				—				907,417
	Operating expenses:
	Selling, distribution, and marketing	—				435,120				93,113				—				528,233
	General and administrative	76,178				72,960				48,388				—				197,526
	Asset disposal and exit costs	—				14,426				9,800				—				24,226
	Total operating expenses	76,178				522,506				151,301				—				749,985
	Operating income (expense)	(76,178		)		215,155				18,455				—				157,432
	Other expense (income):
	Interest expense	17,944				—				83				—				18,027
	Other expense (income), net	(90,608		)		84,776				2,003				—				(3,829		)
	Total other expense (income)	(72,664		)		84,776				2,086				—				14,198
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(3,514		)		130,379				16,369				—				143,234
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,102		)		44,655				640				—				44,193
	Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(2,412		)		85,724				15,729				—				99,041
	Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	101,453				15,729				—				(117,182		)		—
	Net income (loss)	99,041				101,453				15,729				(117,182		)		99,041
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	19,248				19,248				18,520				(37,768		)		19,248
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	$	118,289			$	120,701			$	34,249			$	(154,950	)		$	118,289
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
		Year ended December 31, 2012
		Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
		(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	—			$	1,807,380			$	367,994			$	—			$	2,175,374
	Net sales to related parties	—				109,513				—				—				109,513
	Transitional sales fees	—				4,551				—				—				4,551
	Total net sales	—				1,921,444				367,994				—				2,289,438
	Cost of sales	—				1,268,785				216,709				—				1,485,494
	Gross profit	—				652,659				151,285				—				803,944
	Related party license income	—				36,034				—				—				36,034
	Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution, and marketing	—				405,741				86,389				—				492,130
General and administrative	5,604				118,916				43,075				—				167,595
Total operating expenses	5,604				524,657				129,464				—				659,725
Operating income (loss)	(5,604		)		164,036				21,821				—				180,253
Other expense (income):
Interest expense (income)	3,829				6,284				(189		)		—				9,924
Other expense (income), net	1,151				1,865				(2,059		)		—				957
Total other expense (income)	4,980				8,149				(2,248		)		—				10,881
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(10,584		)		155,887				24,069				—				169,372
Income tax expense (benefit)	(3,932		)		59,228				1,562				—				56,858
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(6,652		)		96,659				22,507				—				112,514
Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	120,346				23,687				—				(144,033		)		—
Income (loss) from continuing operations	113,694				120,346				22,507				(144,033		)		112,514
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	—				—				403				—				403
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—				—				2,056				—				2,056
Net income (loss)	113,694				120,346				24,966				(144,033		)		114,973
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	—				—				(1,279		)		—				(1,279		)
Net income (loss) attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	113,694				120,346				23,687				(144,033		)		113,694
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	8,647				8,647				8,647				(17,294		)		8,647
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company	$	122,341			$	128,993			$	32,334			$	(161,327	)		$	122,341
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
					Year ended December 31, 2014
					Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
					(In thousands)
	CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
			Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		$	(6,140	)		$	230,511			$	60,242			$	—			$	284,613
	CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
		Investment in equity method investments			—				(3,000		)		(47,285		)		—				(50,285		)
		Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired			—				(798,446		)		—				—				(798,446		)
		Payments for property, plant, and equipment			(42,106		)		(191,160		)		(59,091		)		—				(292,357		)
		Intercompany contributions			(766,016		)		—				—				766,016				—
		Proceeds from sale of fixed assets			—				464				—				—				464
			Net cash used in investing activities		(808,122		)		(992,142		)		(106,376		)		766,016				(1,140,624		)
	CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
		Intercompany contributions			—				762,526				3,490				(766,016		)		—
		Proceeds from the issuance of debt			1,025,000				—				—				—				1,025,000
		Repayment of debt			(15,000		)		—				—				—				(15,000		)
		Payments of capital lease obligations			—				(1,044		)		—				—				(1,044		)
		Proceeds from revolver line of credit			625,400				—				—				—				625,400
		Payments for revolver line of credit			(803,050		)		—				—				—				(803,050		)
		Proceeds from exercise of stock options			3,092				—				—				—				3,092
		Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units			(7,446		)		—				—				—				(7,446		)
		Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			4,466				—				—				—				4,466
		Payment of deferred financing costs			(18,200		)		—				—				—				(18,200		)
			Net cash provided by financing activities		814,262				761,482				3,490				(766,016		)		813,218
			Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—				—				(8,072		)		—				(8,072		)
	DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS				—				(149		)		(50,716		)		—				(50,865		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				—				673				100,432				—				101,105
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period				$	—			$	524			$	49,716			$	—			$	50,240
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
					Year ended December 31, 2013
					Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
					(In thousands)
	CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
			Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	(42,336	)		$	179,293			$	47,984			$	—			$	184,941
	CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
		Payments for property, plant, and equipment			(5,499		)		(109,250		)		(17,020		)		—				(131,769		)
		Intercompany contributions			—				(161,645		)		—				161,645				—
		Proceeds from sale of fixed assets			—				92,352				—				—				92,352
			Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(5,499		)		(178,543		)		(17,020		)		161,645				(39,417		)
	CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
		Intercompany contributions			158,092				—				3,553				(161,645		)		—
		Distributions to Dean Foods, net			(829		)		(126		)		84				—				(871		)
		Repayment of debt			(15,000		)		—				—				—				(15,000		)
		Proceeds from revolver line of credit			624,150				—				—				—				624,150
		Payments for revolver line of credit			(727,050		)		—				—				—				(727,050		)
		Proceeds from exercise of stock options			1,298				—				—				—				1,298
		Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			515				—				—				—				515
		Payment of deferred financing costs			(16		)		—				—				—				(16		)
			Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		41,160				(126		)		3,637				(161,645		)		(116,974		)
			Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—				—				3,182				—				3,182
	INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS				(6,675		)		624				37,783				—				31,732
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				6,675				49				62,649				—				69,373
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period				$	—			$	673			$	100,432			$	—			$	101,105
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
					Year ended December 31, 2012
					Parent				Guarantor Subsidiaries				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated Total
					(In thousands)
	CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
			Net cash provided by operating activities		$	33,879			$	157,988			$	44,654			$	—			$	236,521
	CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
		Payments for property, plant, and equipment			—				(91,315		)		(11,616		)		—				(102,931		)
		Intercompany contributions			(1,162,891		)		—				(16,851		)		1,179,742				—
		Proceeds from recoveries			—				3,356				—				—				3,356
	Proceeds from sale of fixed assets			—				879				611				—				1,490
		Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations		(1,162,891		)		(87,080		)		(27,856		)		1,179,742				(98,085		)
		Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - discontinued operations		—				—				5,900				—				5,900
		Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(1,162,891		)		(87,080		)		(21,956		)		1,179,742				(92,185		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
	Intercompany contributions			—				1,179,742				—				(1,179,742		)		—
	Distributions to Dean Foods, net			—				(89,867		)		(40,977		)		—				(130,844		)
	Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs			367,540				—				—				—				367,540
	Proceeds from the issuance of Term A-1 and Term A-2 facilities			500,000				—				—				—				500,000
	Repayment of intercompany notes to Dean Foods			—				(1,155,000		)		—				—				(1,155,000		)
	Proceeds from revolver line of credit			519,200				—				—				—				519,200
	Payments for revolver line of credit			(238,650		)		—				—				—				(238,650		)
	Proceeds from receivables-backed facility			—				—				150,735				—				150,735
	Payments for receivables-backed facility			—				—				(166,650		)		—				(166,650		)
	Payment of deferred financing costs			(12,403		)		—				—				—				(12,403		)
	Capital contribution from (distribution to) non-controlling interest			—				(6,046		)		—				—				(6,046		)
		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations		1,135,687				(71,171		)		(56,892		)		(1,179,742		)		(172,118		)
		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations		—				—				(269		)		—				(269		)
		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		1,135,687				(71,171		)		(57,161		)		(1,179,742		)		(172,387		)
		Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—				—				437				—				437
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS				6,675				(263		)		(34,026		)		—				(27,614		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				—				312				96,675				—				96,987
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period				$	6,675			$	49			$	62,649			$	—			$	69,373

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation1

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations	The following is a summary of our unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2014 and 2013:
		Quarter
		First		Second		Third			Fourth
		(In thousands, except share and per share data)
	2014
	Net sales	$	830,223	$	837,926	$	857,467		$	910,989
	Gross profit	273,214		285,260		292,756			301,934
	Income from continuing operations	32,360		34,407		40,857			32,561
	Net income	32,360		34,407		40,857			32,561
	Earnings per common share(1):
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Net income per common share	0.19		0.2		0.23			0.19
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Net income per common share	0.18		0.19		0.23			0.18
	2013
	Net sales	$	608,244	$	615,990	$	638,518		$	679,311
	Gross profit	218,543		224,213		226,452			238,209
	Income from continuing operations	23,998		31,209		24,293		-2	19,541		-3
	Net income	23,998		31,209		24,293		-2	19,541		-3
	Earnings per common share(1):
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Net income per common share	0.14		0.18		0.14			0.11
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Net income per common share	0.14		0.18		0.14			0.11
	___________________________
	-1	Earnings per common share calculations for each of the quarters were based on the basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding for each quarter. The sum of the quarters may not necessarily be equal to the full year earnings per common share amount.
	-2	Includes a non-cash write-down of assets in the amount of $7.4 million ($4.5 million net of tax) related to the sale of the Idaho dairy farm.
	-3	Includes an additional $3.7 million ($2.3 million net of tax) non-cash write-down of assets and $3.3 million ($2.0 million net of tax) charge related to lease liabilities, severance and related cost for the sale of the Idaho dairy farm, as well as, a write-down of $9.8 million related to the plan to sell the operations of SoFine.

Business_and_Basis_of_Presenta1

Business and Basis of Presentation (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended			10 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 24, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 25, 2013	23-May-13	17-May-13	Oct. 31, 2012	21-May-13
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Conversion of Class B common stock into Class A common stock (in shares)	67,913,310
Conversion basis	one-for-one basis
Common Stock, Conversion Basis, Conversion Ratio	1
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)		$0.01	$0.01
Shares outstanding (in shares)		0	0
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)		$0.01	$0.01
Shares outstanding (in shares)		174,388,132	173,452,896
Whitewave Foods Co [Member] | Spinoff [Member]
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Transaction cost related to initial public offering		$2.20	$19	$5.40
Dean Foods [Member] | Spinoff [Member]
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Transaction cost related to initial public offering		0.7	3	2.6
Dean Foods Net Investment [Member]
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Total amount of allocation								50.7
Transaction cost related to initial public offering								$17.50
Distribution date						23-May-13
Record date for the distribution							17-May-13
Shares outstanding (in shares)					0
Period to dispose of remaining ownership interest						3 years
Dean Foods' ownership interest in the Company					0.00%
Dean Foods Net Investment [Member] | Common Stock - Class B [Member]
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of shares to be distributed as dividend						67,914,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)						0.01
Number of votes per share							one vote per share
Conversion of Class B common stock into Class A common stock (in shares)									82,086,000
Shares outstanding (in shares)						0
Dean Foods Net Investment [Member] | Common Stock - Class A [Member]
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of shares to be distributed as dividend						47,686,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)						0.01
Conversion of Class B common stock into Class A common stock (in shares)									82,086,000
Shares outstanding (in shares)						34,400,000
Number of shares disposed of in public offering					34,400,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Estimated Useful Lives of Property, Plant, and Equipment) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	15 years
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	40 years
Machinery and equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	3 years
Machinery and equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	20 years
Computer Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	3 years
Computer Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	8 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	Over the shorter of the term of the applicable lease agreement or useful life

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Estimated Useful Lives of Intangible Assets) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Customer lists and relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	3 years
Customer lists and relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	15 years
Finite-lived trademarks [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	5 years
Finite-lived trademarks [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	15 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	23-May-13	23-May-12	Aug. 07, 2012
				Person	Person
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Credit terms to customers	10 days
Advertising expense	$194.40	$169.50	$172.60
Prepaid advertising	1.7	0.3
Shipping and handling cost	279.6	247.5	214.1
Accrued liabilities related to retained risk based on claims	7.3	3
Research and development expense	$15.60	$13.40	$12.30
Dean Foods Net Investment [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of directors and employees whose equity-based awards were converted into Class A common stock				162	162
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Stock reserved for issuance						20

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_2

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture (Schedule of Allocation of Purchase Price) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 02, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities assumed:
Goodwill	$1,068,276	$772,343	$765,586
Earthbound Farm [Member]
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents				5,638
Inventories				22,299
Other current assets				54,260
Property, plant and equipment				147,390
Trademarks				150,700
Intangible assets with finite lives				104,900
Liabilities assumed:
Accounts payable and other accruals				58,328
Deferred taxes				26,857
Obligations under capital leases				22,646
Total identifiable net assets				377,356
Goodwill				231,309
Total purchase price				608,665
So Delicious Dairy Free [Member]
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents					1,552
Inventories					22,145
Other current assets					9,727
Property, plant and equipment					8,613
Trademarks					53,216
Intangible assets with finite lives					28,865
Liabilities assumed:
Accounts payable and other accruals					11,683
Obligations under capital leases					321
Total identifiable net assets					112,114
Goodwill					84,857
Total purchase price					$196,971

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_3

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture (Schedule of Unaudited Supplemental Pro Forma) (Detail) (Earthbound Farm [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earthbound Farm [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales	$3,436,605	$3,075,737	$2,767,749
Operating income	$273,844	$201,602	$180,890
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.83	$0.72	$0.71

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_4

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture (Schedule of Liabilities Recorded) (Detail) (Idaho Dairy Farm [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrued charges at December 31, 2013	$3,306
Costs paid or otherwise settled	-2,790
Reversal of prior expense	-516
Accrued charges at December 31, 2014	0
Lease Liability [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrued charges at December 31, 2013	2,674
Costs paid or otherwise settled	-2,192
Reversal of prior expense	-482
Accrued charges at December 31, 2014	0
Severance and related costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrued charges at December 31, 2013	632
Costs paid or otherwise settled	-598
Reversal of prior expense	-34
Accrued charges at December 31, 2014	$0

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_5

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture (Acquisitions) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Jan. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Borrowing of senior secured credit facilities			$0	$0	$500,000,000
Intangible assets acquired		255,600,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets		104,900,000	10,700,000	2,900,000	2,500,000
Amortization period of intangible assets	15 years	15 years
Expected tax deductible goodwill amount		88,400,000
Earthbound Farm [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net		608,665,000
Purchase price of business		608,700,000
Net sales			575,300,000
Operating income			47,700,000
Due diligence, investment advisors and regulatory matters expenses			6,800,000	3,300,000
So Delicious Dairy Free [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	197,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net	196,971,000
Intangible assets acquired	82,100,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	28,900,000
Net sales			22,700,000
Operating income			2,500,000
Due diligence, investment advisors and regulatory matters expenses			5,300,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Earthbound Farm [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Borrowing of senior secured credit facilities		$615,000,000

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_6

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture (Divestitures) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Write-down of assets held for sale	($1,066,000)	$24,226,000	$0
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	464,000	92,352,000	1,490,000
Idaho Dairy Farm [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Write-down of assets held for sale				3,700,000		7,400,000
Asset Impairment Charges		11,100,000
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets					31,000,000
Note receivable		6,400,000			6,400,000
Lease termination and other related costs		3,300,000		3,300,000
Sofine Foods Bv [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Write-down of assets held for sale					$9,800,000

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_7

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Venture (Joint Venture) (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 05, 2014	Jan. 05, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 05, 2014	Jan. 05, 2014	Jan. 05, 2014	Jan. 05, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Collaborative Arrangement, Product [Member]	Collaborative Arrangement, Product [Member]	Collaborative Arrangement, Product [Member]	Collaborative Arrangement, Product [Member]	Collaborative Arrangement, Product [Member]	Collaborative Arrangement, Product [Member]	Whitewave Foods Co [Member]	Mengniu [Member]
				USD ($)	CNY	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	CNY	Collaborative Arrangement, Product [Member]	Collaborative Arrangement, Product [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Company's stake in the joint venture										49.00%
Partner's stake in the joint venture											51.00%
Purchase price				$80,900,000	504,000,000
Equity of joint venture								60,300,000	376,700,000
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture						0
Due diligence, investment advisors and regulatory matters expenses						300,000	5,000,000
Service Management Costs						5,700,000
Income (loss) in equity method investments	($5,984,000)	$0	$0			($6,000,000)

Transactions_with_Morningstar_1

Transactions with Morningstar Foods, LLC ("Morningstar") (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 03, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	$464,000	$92,352,000	$1,490,000
Transitional sales fees	0	1,513,000	4,551,000
Morningstar [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets				60,000,000
Morningstar [Member] | Transitional Sales Agreements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Transitional sales fees		1,500,000
Morningstar [Member] | Transitional Sales Agreements [Member] | Other Non-Core Products [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Net fees remitted to Morningstar		$700,000
Morningstar [Member] | Transitional Sales Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Transitional sales agreement term					9 months

Discontinued_Operations_Schedu

Discontinued Operations (Schedule of Operating Results of Discontinued Operations) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net income	$0	$0	$2,056
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	1,279
Hero Group [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales			0
Income before income taxes			2,559
Income tax (expense)			-503
Net income			2,056
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest			$1,279

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax benefit (expense) related to discontinued Operation	$0.10
Hero Group [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash contributions by joint venture partner	1.9
Payment of distributions to joint venture	8
Rachel's [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax benefit (expense) related to discontinued Operation	0.2
Other Prior Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax benefit (expense) related to discontinued Operation	$0.60

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories (Schedule of Inventories) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and supplies	$101,418	$67,956
Finished goods	114,251	90,613
Total	$215,669	$158,569

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_S

Property, Plant, and Equipment (Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, Gross	$1,507,459	$1,100,258
Less accumulated depreciation	-514,252	-440,575
Total	993,207	659,683
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, Gross	51,408	38,968
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, Gross	408,617	295,057
Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, Gross	909,457	696,513
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, Gross	15,058	10,136
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, Gross	$122,919	$59,584

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_A

Property, Plant, and Equipment (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$99.80	$79	$71.80
Interest related to borrowings	$1.50	$0.80	$0.50

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$772,343	$765,586
Acquisition	316,166
Foreign currency translation	-20,233	6,757
Goodwill, ending balance	1,068,276	772,343
Americas Foods and Beverages [Member] | North America [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	600,316	600,316
Acquisition	84,857
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	685,173	600,316
Americas Fresh Foods [Member] | North America [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	0	0
Acquisition	231,309
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	231,309	0
Europe Foods and Beverages [Member] | Europe [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	172,027	165,270
Acquisition	0
Foreign currency translation	-20,233	6,757
Goodwill, ending balance	$151,794	$172,027

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Accumulated goodwill impairment charges		$0	$0
Amortization of intangible assets	$104,900,000	$10,700,000	$2,900,000	$2,500,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, Intangible assets with finite lives	$718,942	$394,716
Accumulated amortization, Intangible assets with finite lives	-28,801	-18,789
Net carrying amount, Intangible assets with finite lives	690,141	375,927
Customer-related and other [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, Intangible assets with finite lives	158,302	39,221
Accumulated amortization, Intangible assets with finite lives	-26,677	-17,826
Net carrying amount, Intangible assets with finite lives	131,625	21,395
Supplier Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, Intangible assets with finite lives	12,000	0
Accumulated amortization, Intangible assets with finite lives	-960	0
Net carrying amount, Intangible assets with finite lives	11,040	0
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, Intangible assets with finite lives	600	0
Accumulated amortization, Intangible assets with finite lives	-200	0
Net carrying amount, Intangible assets with finite lives	400	0
Trademarks [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, Intangible assets with indefinite lives	547,072	354,527
Gross carrying amount, Intangible assets with finite lives	968	968
Accumulated amortization, Intangible assets with finite lives	-964	-963
Net carrying amount, Intangible assets with finite lives	$4	$5

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Estimated Aggregate Finite-Lived Intangible Asset Amortization Expense) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$12,050
2016	11,731
2017	11,521
2018	11,491
2019	$10,354

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_E2

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Components of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts payable	$297,140	$238,525
Payroll and benefits	77,726	60,276
Derivative liability	27,448	18,889
Other accrued liabilities	67,450	39,416
Total	$469,764	$357,106

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Contribution/(Reduction) reflected in contributions to equity		$39,463,000
State and foreign net operating loss carryforwards	218,000	2,695,000
Valuation allowance	65,000	126,000
Accumulated Foreign Earnings	146,200,000
Income tax expense	400,000	100,000	-600,000
Accrued interest	600,000	400,000
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Contribution/(Reduction) reflected in contributions to equity		13,300,000
Income Taxes Payable [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Contribution/(Reduction) reflected in contributions to equity		3,500,000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	83,600,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
State and foreign net operating loss carryforwards	4,800,000
Valuation allowance	$100,000

Income_Taxes_Income_from_Conti

Income Taxes (Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic	$174,594	$124,441	$149,417
Foreign	49,854	18,793	19,955
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$224,448	$143,234	$169,372

Income_Taxes_Component_of_Inco

Income Taxes (Component of Income Tax Expense) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current income taxes:
Federal	$53,843,000	$34,219,000	$45,121,000
State	9,750,000	7,937,000	8,581,000
Foreign	8,502,000	2,082,000	2,394,000
Total current income tax expense	72,095,000	44,238,000	56,096,000
Deferred income taxes:
Federal	3,629,000	2,072,000	3,454,000
State	10,000	-1,990,000	-636,000
Foreign	2,545,000	-127,000	-2,056,000
Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)	6,184,000	-45,000	762,000
Total income tax expense	78,279,000	44,193,000	56,858,000
Income tax expense (benefit) related to discontinued operations			$100,000

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Income Taxes) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax expense at statutory rate of 35%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Foreign taxes versus U.S. statutory rate	-3.10%	-5.30%	-3.50%
State income taxes	2.70%	3.50%	4.00%
U.S. manufacturing deduction	-2.10%	-2.40%	-2.10%
Uncertain tax positions	1.70%	-0.10%	-0.80%
Non deductible transaction costs	0.50%	0.00%	2.70%
Deferred tax rate adjustments	-0.40%	-1.80%	-1.10%
SoFine write-down	0.00%	2.40%	0.00%
Other	0.60%	-0.40%	-0.60%
Effective tax rate	34.90%	30.90%	33.60%

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Income_T

Income Taxes (Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities)) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$218,000	$2,695,000
Share-based compensation	23,415,000	21,630,000
Derivative instruments	14,979,000	16,616,000
Accrued liabilities	12,790,000	10,188,000
Inventories	3,291,000	4,390,000
Receivables	4,146,000	3,375,000
Other	4,293,000	1,617,000
Valuation allowances	-65,000	-126,000
Total deferred income tax assets	63,067,000	60,385,000
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	-163,548,000	-163,286,000
Property, plant and equipment	-102,605,000	-108,276,000
Partnership basis difference	-33,661,000	0
Total deferred income tax liabilities	-299,814,000	-271,562,000
Net deferred income tax liability	-236,747,000	-211,177,000
Deferred tax assets related to uncertain tax positions	$2,000,000	$800,000

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of1

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1	$3,875	$10,433	$12,573
Increases in tax positions for current year	2,524	1,756	20
Increases in tax positions for prior years	2,332	1,562	459
Decreases in tax positions for prior years	0	-2,565	-608
Settlement of tax matters	-640	-5,992	-834
Lapse of applicable statutes of limitations	-556	-1,319	-1,177
Balance at December 31	$7,535	$3,875	$10,433

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat2

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Schedule of Outstanding Debt) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$1,516,980
Interest rate	2.11%	1.76%
Interest rate	5.38%
Capital lease obligations	21,980
Less current portion	-21,158	-15,000
Total long-term debt	1,495,822	647,650
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	995,000	662,650
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$500,000	$0

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat3

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2015	$21,158
2016	22,801
2017	27,567
2018	29,215
2019	190,242
Thereafter	1,225,997
Total outstanding debt	1,516,980
Term Loan A-1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2015	12,500
2016	14,062
2017	18,750
2018	20,313
2019	181,250
Thereafter	0
Total outstanding debt	246,875
Term Loan A-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2015	7,500
2016	7,500
2017	7,500
2018	7,500
2019	7,500
Thereafter	710,625
Total outstanding debt	748,125
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2015	1,158
2016	1,239
2017	1,317
2018	1,402
2019	1,492
Thereafter	15,372
Total outstanding debt	21,980
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Thereafter	500,000
Total outstanding debt	$500,000	$0

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat4

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Senior Secured Credit Facilities) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Aug. 29, 2014	Oct. 12, 2012	Jan. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financing costs		$12,400,000
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	800,000
Deferred Finance Costs, Gross	10,100,000
Amended Senior Credit Facility Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred Finance Costs, Gross	4,800,000
Debt instrument, covenant, consolidated net leverage ratio maximum	4
Debt instrument, covenant, consolidated net leverage ratio minimum	3.75
Debt instrument, covenant provision, consolidated net leverage ratio, maximum upon the incurrence of certain indebtedness	5
Debt instrument, covenant provision, consolidated net leverage ratio adjusted for acquisitions, maximum	4
Debt instrument, covenant provision, consolidated net leverage ratio adjusted for acquisitions, minimum	3.75
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of debt facility		5 years
Aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities		850,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Amended Senior Credit Facility Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities	1,000,000,000
Term Loan A-1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of debt facility		5 years
Aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities		250,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net	18,800,000
Term Loan A-1 [Member] | Amended Senior Credit Facility Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities	250,000,000
Term Loan A-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of debt facility		7 years
Aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities		250,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net	6,300,000
Term Loan A-2 [Member] | Amended Senior Credit Facility Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities	750,000,000
Term Loan A-3 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of debt facility			7 years
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			500,000,000
Capitalized deferred financing fees			3,300,000
Accordion Feature [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional borrowings capacity			500,000,000
Swing Line Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities			85,000,000
Swing Line Loan Facility [Member] | Amended Senior Credit Facility Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities	100,000,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings				5,900,000
Letter of Credit [Member] | Amended Senior Credit Facility Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings	100,000,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities				2,000,000,000
Additional borrowings capacity				994,100,000
Outstanding borrowings				$995,000,000
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Term Loan A-1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		1.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Term Loan A-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		2.00%

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat5

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Senior Unsecured Notes) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 17, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.38%
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	$0	$0	$500,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				500,000,000
Interest rate				5.38%
Proceeds from the issuance of debt				$490,700,000

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat6

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Alpro Resolving Credit Facility) (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Alpro [Member]	Alpro [Member]	Alpro [Member]	Alpro [Member]	Alpro [Member]	Alpro [Member]	Letter of Credit [Member]	Letter of Credit [Member]	Letter of Credit [Member]	Letter of Credit [Member]	Letter of Credit [Member]
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Wwf Operating Company [Member]	Wwf Operating Company [Member]	Wwf Operating Company [Member]	Wwf Operating Company [Member]	USD ($)	Alpro [Member]	Alpro [Member]	Alpro [Member]	Alpro [Member]
			USD ($)	USD ($)	Subsidiary Revolving Credit Facility Maturing On July 10, 2013 [Member]	Subsidiary Revolving Credit Facility Maturing On July 10, 2013 [Member]		USD ($)	USD ($)	Wwf Operating Company [Member]	Wwf Operating Company [Member]
					EUR (€)	EUR (€)				Subsidiary Revolving Credit Facility Maturing On July 10, 2013 [Member]	Subsidiary Revolving Credit Facility Maturing On July 10, 2013 [Member]
										EUR (€)	EUR (€)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities	$12,100,000	$12,100,000			€ 10,000,000	€ 10,000,000		$12,100,000	$12,100,000	€ 10,000,000	€ 10,000,000
Outstanding borrowings			$0	$0			$5,900,000

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat7

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Allocated Portion of Dean Foods' Debt (Senior Secured Credit Facility)) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 02, 2009
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured credit facility for acquisition		$1,495,822,000	$647,650,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured credit facility for acquisition				440,300,000
Interest expense, debt	$9,900,000

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat8

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Capital Lease Obligations) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Earthbound Farm [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital Lease Expiration Year	2033
Earthbound Farm [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital Lease Interest Rate	3.10%
Earthbound Farm [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital Lease Interest Rate	8.00%
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations		$23.40

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat9

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Receivable-Backed Facility) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Lines of Credit	$0	$0	$166,650,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Receivable-Backed Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings			$150,700,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement (Schedule of Interest Rate Swap Agreements) (Detail) (Interest Rate Swap [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed Interest Rates, Low	2.75%
Fixed Interest Rates, High	3.19%
Expiration Date	31-Mar-17
Notional Amount	$650,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement (Schedule of Derivatives Recorded at Fair Value in Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets	$1,159	$1,162
Derivatives Liabilities	41,301	45,556
Current [Member] | Foreign Currency Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets	1,159	0
Derivatives Liabilities	0	634
Current [Member] | Commodities Contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets	0	1,162
Derivatives Liabilities	0	0
Current [Member] | Commodities Contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets	0	0
Derivatives Liabilities	9,886	0
Current [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets	0	0
Derivatives Liabilities	17,562	18,255
Non Current [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets	0	0
Derivatives Liabilities	$13,853	$26,667

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement (Schedule of Gains and Losses on Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
(Gains)/losses on foreign currency contracts	$547	$358	($320)
(Gains)/losses on commodities contracts	($1,299)	$1,031	$0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen5

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash equivalents	$25	$11,617
Insurance contracts	10,401
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	18,894	30,937
Liabilities [Abstract]
Senior unsecured notes	516
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	41,817	45,556
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
ASSETS
Foreign currency contracts	1,159
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts		634
Commodities Contracts [Member]
ASSETS
Foreign currency contracts		1,162
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts	9,886
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts	31,415	44,922
Level 1 [Member]
ASSETS
Cash equivalents	25	11,617
Insurance contracts	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	2,660	13,407
Liabilities [Abstract]
Senior unsecured notes	516
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	516	0
Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
ASSETS
Foreign currency contracts	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts		0
Level 1 [Member] | Commodities Contracts [Member]
ASSETS
Foreign currency contracts		0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts	0
Level 1 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
ASSETS
Cash equivalents	0	0
Insurance contracts	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	5,833	5,799
Liabilities [Abstract]
Senior unsecured notes	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	41,301	45,556
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
ASSETS
Foreign currency contracts	1,159
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts		634
Level 2 [Member] | Commodities Contracts [Member]
ASSETS
Foreign currency contracts		1,162
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts	9,886
Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts	31,415	44,922
Level 3 [Member]
ASSETS
Cash equivalents	0	0
Insurance contracts	10,401
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	10,401	11,731
Liabilities [Abstract]
Senior unsecured notes	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
ASSETS
Foreign currency contracts	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts		0
Level 3 [Member] | Commodities Contracts [Member]
ASSETS
Foreign currency contracts		0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts	0
Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contracts	0	0
Deferred Compensation, Excluding Share-based Payments and Retirement Benefits [Member]
ASSETS
Investments	2,635	1,790
Insurance contracts		11,731
Deferred Compensation, Excluding Share-based Payments and Retirement Benefits [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
ASSETS
Investments	2,635	1,790
Insurance contracts		0
Deferred Compensation, Excluding Share-based Payments and Retirement Benefits [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
ASSETS
Investments	0	0
Insurance contracts		0
Deferred Compensation, Excluding Share-based Payments and Retirement Benefits [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
ASSETS
Investments	0	0
Insurance contracts		11,731
Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
ASSETS
Investments	4,674	4,637
Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
ASSETS
Investments	0	0
Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
ASSETS
Investments	4,674	4,637
Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
ASSETS
Investments	$0	$0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen6

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement (Additional Information) (Detail)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Foreign Currency Forward Contract Maturing June 29, 2012 [Member]

Long Lived Assets [Member]

Long Lived Assets [Member]

Sales [Member]

Sales [Member]

Fuel [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Dean Foods Net Investment [Member]

Dean Foods Net Investment [Member]

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

International [Member]

International [Member]

International [Member]

International [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivative [Line Items]

Interest rate swaps value

$650,000,000

$650,000,000

$71,000,000

Interest rate swaps maturity date

31-Mar-17

31-Mar-17

Gains (losses) on derivative contracts

-5,300,000

3,400,000

Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Loss

9,900,000

Material hedge ineffectiveness related to commodity contracts

0

0

0

Percentage of international operations representing net sales

19.00%

25.00%

19.00%

22.00%

Repatriation of foreign earnings to Dean Foods

71,000,000

55,000,000

Net gain (loss) on foreign currency derivatives

600,000

Foreign currency contract hedging activity to be reclassified within next 12 months

1,200,000

Minimum employee compensation required under deferred compensation plans

$150,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Additi

Share-Based Compensation (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	23-May-13	23-May-12	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 14, 2013
				Person	Person		Employee
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$26,648,000	$18,931,000	$9,529,000
Options vested and expected to vest	5 years 11 months 19 days
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	30,440,000	24,897,000	9,529,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	8 months 23 days
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options vested and expected to vest	10 years
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Option vested on grant	Our employee options vest one-third on the first anniversary of the grant date, one-third on the second anniversary of the grant date, and one-third on the third anniversary of the grant date.
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	10,700,000	8,400,000	1,800,000
Look back period of stock price volatility	6 years
Cash received from stock option exercises	3,100,000
Total unrecognized stock option expense	9,700,000
Unrecognized compensation expense expected to be recognized period, years	1 year 2 months 26 days
Stock Options [Member] | Whitewave Foods Co [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	10,741,000	8,371,000	1,828,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	15,900,000	9,100,000	3,700,000
Total unrecognized stock option expense	14,630,000
Unrecognized compensation expense expected to be recognized period, years	1 year 3 months 7 days
Stock units vesting period	3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Whitewave Foods Co [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	15,907,000	9,060,000	3,667,000
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Employees Holding Phantom Share Units							151
Share based compensation liability, current and long-term liabilities	800,000	4,800,000
Share based compensation, cash settlement	6,200,000
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member] | Whitewave Foods Co [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	2,658,000	6,607,000	2,593,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense			100,000
Look back period of stock price volatility	6 years
Stock units vesting period	3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	7 years 10 months 28 days
Share based compensation liability, current	1,100,000	900,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	10 years
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Whitewave Foods Co [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1,134,000	859,000	53,000
Dean Foods Net Investment [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense			4,300,000
Number of directors and employees whose equity-based awards were converted into Class A common stock				162	162
Dean Foods Net Investment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payout range, cash performance units	0.00%
Dean Foods Net Investment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payout range, cash performance units	200.00%
Dean Foods Net Investment [Member] | Cash Performance Units[Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense			$1,300,000			$600,000
Performance periods	3 years
2012 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of award vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date	33.00%
Percentage of award vesting on the second anniversary of the grant date	33.00%
Percentage of award vesting on the third anniversary of the grant date	33.00%
Age Requirement For Vesting Provision	65
Age Requirement For Vesting Provision After Service Period	55
Service period after reaching the age of 55	10 years
2012 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Common Stock - Class A [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	20

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$30,440	$24,897	$9,529
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	10,700	8,400	1,800
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense			100
Whitewave Foods Co [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	10,741	8,371	1,828
Whitewave Foods Co [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	15,907	9,060	3,667
Whitewave Foods Co [Member] | Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	2,658	6,607	2,593
Whitewave Foods Co [Member] | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	1,134	859	53
Dean Foods [Member] | Cash Performance Units[Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$0	$0	$1,388

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu1

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Valuation Assumptions) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility		28.00%	28.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected option term	6 years	6 years	6 years
Risk-free rate of return			1.05%
Risk-free rate of return minimum	1.82%	1.13%
Risk-free rate of return maximum	2.10%	1.66%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Forfeiture Rate	0.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Stock Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	28.00%
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	29.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	0.00%	28.00%	28.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected option term	0 years	6 years	6 years
Risk-free rate of return	0.00%		1.05%
Risk-free rate of return minimum		1.13%
Risk-free rate of return maximum		1.66%

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu2

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Stock Option Activity) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	11,120,585
Granted (in shares)	1,218,996
Forfeited, canceled and expired (in shares)	-494,690
Exercised (in shares)	-495,605
Options outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	11,349,286
Options vested and expected to vest (in shares)	11,349,286
Options exercisable, ending balance (in shares)	8,107,231
Weighted average exercise price
Options outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$17.12
Granted (in dollars per share)	$26.54
Forfeited, canceled and expired (in dollars per share)	$17.63
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$18.96
Options outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$18.03
Options vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share)	$18.03
Options exercisable, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$17.63
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Options outstanding	5 years 11 months 19 days
Options vested and expected to vest	5 years 11 months 19 days
Options exercisable	5 years 25 days
Options outstanding	$192,468,796
Options vested and expected to vest	192,468,796
Options exercisable, ending balance	$140,767,707

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu3

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Options Outstanding and Exercisable) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
$9.38 to 9.52 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower limit (in dollars per share)	$9.38
Exercise price range, Upper limit (in dollars per share)	$9.52
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,166,277
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options Outstanding	6 years 25 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$9.51
Number Exercisable, Options Exercisable (in shares)	1,166,277
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$9.51
11.10 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower limit (in dollars per share)	$11.10
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,442,904
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options Outstanding	7 years 1 month 17 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$11.10
Number Exercisable, Options Exercisable (in shares)	967,502
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$11.10
11.12 to 14.71 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower limit (in dollars per share)	$11.12
Exercise price range, Upper limit (in dollars per share)	$14.71
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding (in shares)	429,763
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options Outstanding	5 years 1 month 24 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$13.40
Number Exercisable, Options Exercisable (in shares)	424,349
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$13.40
15.16 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower limit (in dollars per share)	$15.16
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,213,770
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options Outstanding	8 years 1 month 17 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$15.16
Number Exercisable, Options Exercisable (in shares)	429,497
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$15.16
15.17 to 16.91 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower limit (in dollars per share)	$15.17
Exercise price range, Upper limit (in dollars per share)	$16.91
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding (in shares)	74,752
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options Outstanding	7 years 4 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$15.93
Number Exercisable, Options Exercisable (in shares)	49,081
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$15.75
17.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower limit (in dollars per share)	$17
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding (in shares)	2,363,420
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options Outstanding	7 years 9 months 25 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$17
Number Exercisable, Options Exercisable (in shares)	1,557,869
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$17
17.19 to 23.33 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower limit (in dollars per share)	$17.19
Exercise price range, Upper limit (in dollars per share)	$23.33
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,836,482
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options Outstanding	3 years 9 months 25 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$20.96
Number Exercisable, Options Exercisable (in shares)	1,694,927
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$20.82
23.35 to 26.91 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower limit (in dollars per share)	$23.35
Exercise price range, Upper limit (in dollars per share)	$26.91
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,997,760
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options Outstanding	5 years 29 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$25.28
Number Exercisable, Options Exercisable (in shares)	1,046,936
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$23.81
27.69 to 32.12 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower limit (in dollars per share)	$27.69
Exercise price range, Upper limit (in dollars per share)	$32.12
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding (in shares)	817,444
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options Outstanding	2 years 6 months 14 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$27.87
Number Exercisable, Options Exercisable (in shares)	770,793
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$27.78
34.90 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower limit (in dollars per share)	$34.90
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding (in shares)	6,714
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options Outstanding	9 years 7 months 24 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$34.90
Number Exercisable, Options Exercisable (in shares)	0
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$0

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu4

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Additional Information on Stock Option Activity) (Detail) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of options granted (in dollars per share)	$8.62	$4.42	$4.91
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$12,158	$2,616	$0
Fair value of shares vested	6,281	4,006	0
Tax benefit related to stock option expense	$3,864	$2,769	$236

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu5

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding Beginning Balance (in shares)	1,247,596
RSUs issued (in shares)	507,920
Shares issued upon vesting of RSUs (in shares)	-420,655
RSUs cancelled or forfeited (in shares)	-266,510
Converted from phantom shares (in shares)	279,504
Outstanding Ending Balance (in shares)	1,347,855
Weighted average grant date fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$22.21

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu6

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding beginning balance (in shares)	1,173,960
RSUs granted (in shares)	507,920
RSUs vested (in shares)	-598,263
RSUs cancelled or forfeited (in shares)	-266,510
Converted from phantom shares (in shares)	279,504
Outstanding at ending balance (in shares)	1,096,611
Weighted average grant date fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$22.91

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu7

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Additional Information on Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of RSUs granted (in dollars per share)	$26.79	$15.20	$16.98
Tax benefit related to RSU expense	$5,109	$1,408	$222

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu8

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Phantom Share Activity) (Detail) (Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding beginning balance (in shares)	571,079
Granted (in shares)	1,614
Converted/paid (in shares)	-224,817
Forfeited (in shares)	-36,226
Converted to RSUs (in shares)	-279,504
Outstanding at ending balance (in shares)	32,146
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$17.11
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, granted (in dollars per share)	$17
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, Converted/paid (in dollars per share)	$17.63
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$17.05
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, Converted to RSUs (in dollars per share)	$16.81
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$16.19

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu9

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Activity) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
SARs outstanding, Weighted average contractual life	8 months 23 days
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding Beginning Balance (in shares)	293,693
Granted (in shares)	0
Forfeited and canceled (in shares)	-14,153
Exercised (in shares)	-16,020
Outstanding Ending Balance (in shares)	263,520
SARs vested and expected to vest (in shares)	263,520
SARs exercisable, ending balance (in shares)	147,040
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	16.48
Granted, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	0
Forfeited and cancelled, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	16.52
Exercised, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	16.36
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, ending balance (in dollars per share)	16.49
SARs vested and expected to vest, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	16.49
SARs exercisable, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	16.73
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
SARs outstanding, Weighted average contractual life	7 years 10 months 28 days
SARs vested and expected to vest, Weighted average contractual life	7 years 10 months 28 days
SARs exercisable, Weighted average contractual life	7 years 10 months 13 days
SARs outstanding, Aggregate intrinsic value	4,875,529
SARs vested and expected to vest, Aggregate intrinsic value	4,875,529
SARs exercisable, Aggregate intrinsic value	2,685,616

Recovered_Sheet1

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity) (Details) (Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding beginning balance (in shares)	223,318
Granted (in shares)	0
Converted/paid (in shares)	-92,685
Forfeited (in shares)	-14,153
Outstanding at ending balance (in shares)	116,480
Weighted average grant date fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$16.19

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning	($8,440)	($27,688)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	-54,253	20,727
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	1,575	-1,479
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-52,678	19,248	8,647
Balance, Ending	-61,118	-8,440	-27,688
Other comprehensive income/(loss), tax expense (benefit)	-406	796
Derivative instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning	205	-294
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	-183	1,888
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	752	-1,389
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	569	499
Balance, Ending	774	205
Defined benefit plans adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning	-793	-1,818
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	-2,080	1,115
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	823	-90
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-1,257	1,025
Balance, Ending	-2,050	-793
Cumulative translation adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning	-7,852	-25,576
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	-51,990	17,724
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-51,990	17,724
Balance, Ending	($59,842)	($7,852)

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Addi

Employee Retirement Plans (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015
		plan	Employees
			MultiEmployerPensionPlan
			plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Number of multiemployer pension plans			1
Minimum requisite service period			1 year
Defined Contribution Plan, Minimum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	1.00%	1.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	20.00%	50.00%
Percentage of matching contribution by the employer			4.00%
Employer matching contributions in various amounts per pay period, minimum			3.00%
Employer matching contributions in various amounts per pay period, maximum			5.00%
Unrecognized prior service costs, before tax		$0	$0	$200,000	$300,000
Unrecognized prior service costs, net of tax			0	100,000	200,000
Unrecognized actuarial gains (losses), before tax		3,100,000	3,100,000	1,000,000	2,400,000
Unrecognized actuarial gains (losses), net of tax			-2,000,000	-700,000	-1,600,000
Prior service costs expected to be recognized next fiscal year			12,500
Prior service costs expected to be recognized next fiscal year, net of tax			8,500
Actuarial gains (losses) expected to be recognized next fiscal year			-2,700
Actuarial gains (losses) expected to be recognized next fiscal year, net of tax			-1,800
Underfunded status of the plans		-6,334,000	-6,334,000	-5,278,000
Employer contribution in 2014			1,200,000
Accumulated benefit obligation		12,100,000	12,100,000	12,300,000	11,100,000
Weighted average discount rate		2.03%	2.03%	3.79%
Percentage of insurance contracts financed by employer premiums			90.00%	90.00%
Percentage of insurance contracts financed by employer and employee contribution			10.00%	10.00%
Multiemployer pension plan, number of employees covered			250
Number of Deferred Compensation Plans Sponsored		2	2
Minimum employee compensation required under deferred compensation plan			150,000
Amounts payable, including accrued deemed interest		4,700,000	4,700,000	4,600,000
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Prior service costs expected to be recognized next fiscal year						334
Prior service costs expected to be recognized next fiscal year, net of tax						221
Actuarial gains (losses) expected to be recognized next fiscal year						-95,800
Actuarial gains (losses) expected to be recognized next fiscal year, net of tax						-63,438
Earthbound Farm [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Minimum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent			1.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent			60.00%
Percentage of matching contribution by the employer			4.00%
So Delicious Dairy Free [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Minimum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent			1.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent			100.00%
Employer dollar for-dollar match for the first gross amount of employees' pay			3.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Amount			$0.50
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match			2.00%
Employer dollar for-dollar match for the second gross amount of employees' pay			4.00%
Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Plans in green zone			80.00%
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Plans in red zone (less than)			65.00%
Plans in yellow zone (less than)			80.00%
Contribution to plans			5.00%	5.00%	5.00%

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Sche

Employee Retirement Plans (Schedule of Retirement Plans Expenses) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined benefit plans	$951	$2,050	$1,804
Defined contribution plan	3,397	3,163	2,210
Multiemployer pension and certain union plans	1,758	1,683	1,658
Total	$6,106	$6,896	$5,672

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Sche1

Employee Retirement Plans (Schedule of Reconciliation of Projected Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of the year	$17,009	$15,882
Service cost	1,636	1,771
Interest cost	545	545
Plan participants’ contributions	0	57
Plan amendments	0	-76
Plan curtailments	-882	0
Plan settlements	-1,439	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	2,537	-1,395
Benefits paid	-511	-424
Expenses paid	-17	-31
Exchange rate changes	-2,143	680
Benefit obligation, end of year	16,735	17,009
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	11,731	9,819
Actual return on plan assets	648	357
Employer contributions to plan	1,361	1,492
Plan participants’ contributions	0	57
Plan settlements	-1,439	0
Benefits paid	-511	-424
Expenses paid	-17	-31
Exchange rate changes	-1,372	461
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	10,401	11,731
Funded status at end of year	($6,334)	($5,278)

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Sche2

Employee Retirement Plans (Schedule of Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Weighted average discount rate	2.03%	3.79%
Rate of compensation increase	3.92%	3.87%

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Sche3

Employee Retirement Plans (Schedule of Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Weighted average discount rate	3.79%	3.50%	4.50%
Expected return on assets	3.79%	3.71%	3.85%
Rate of compensation increase	3.87%	3.88%	3.87%

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Sche4

Employee Retirement Plans (Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$1,636	$1,771
Interest cost	545	545
Net periodic benefit cost	951	2,050	1,804
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1,636	1,771	1,409
Interest cost	545	545	513
Expected return on plan assets	-407	-356	-191
Prior service cost	2	17	16
Unrecognized net loss	3	73	3
Curtailment gain	-690	0	0
Settlement gain	-138	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$951	$2,050	$1,750

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Sche5

Employee Retirement Plans (Schedule of Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Projected benefit obligation	$16,735	$3,601	$3,237
Accumulated benefit obligation	12,115	3,206	2,822
Fair value of plan assets	$10,401	$1,902	$1,463

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Sche6

Employee Retirement Plans (Schedule of Estimated Pension Plan Benefit Payments) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$218
2016	2
2017	69
2018	260
2019	2,434
Next five years	$4,156

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Sche7

Employee Retirement Plans (Schedule of Change in Fair Value Measurement of Defined Benefit Plans) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year			$9,819
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	10,401	11,731	9,819
Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	11,731	9,819
Relating to instruments still held at reporting date	648	357
Purchases, sales and settlements (net)	-1,978	1,555
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$10,401	$11,731

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Sche8

Employee Retirement Plans (Schedule of Information Regarding Participation in Multiemployer Pension Plans) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	agreement
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employer identification number	916145047
Pension plan number	1
PPA Zone status	Green	Green
FIP/RP status pending/ implemented	NA
Extended amortization provisions	FALSE
Expiration date of associated collective-bargaining agreement	28-Feb-15
Expiration date of associated collective-bargaining agreement	28-Jan-17
Number of additional collective bargaining agreements	2

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Sche9

Employee Retirement Plans (Schedule of Information Regarding Contribution in Multiemployer Pension Plans) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employer identification number	916145047
Pension plan number	1
Total contribution	$1,758	$1,683	$1,658
Surcharge imposed	No

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Rent expense	$16.70	$15.60	$8
Minimum [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Lease term	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Lease term	20 years

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Future Minimum Payments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$25,962
2016	17,589
2017	13,950
2018	10,087
2019	9,205
Thereafter	21,324
Total minimum lease payments	$98,117

Segment_Geographic_and_Custome2

Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information (Additional Information) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	3
Number of manufacturing facilities	9
Net Sales [Member] | North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Major customer, percentage of sales	14.60%	17.50%	18.00%
North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of co-packers	3
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	3

Segment_Geographic_and_Custome3

Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information (Summarized Income Statement Amounts by Segment) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Total net sales:
Net sales	$3,436,605	$2,542,063	$2,289,438
Operating income:
Related party license income	0	0	36,034
Operating income (loss)	266,686	157,432	180,253
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	36,972	18,027	9,924
Other expense (income), net	5,266	-3,829	957
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	224,448	143,234	169,372
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	110,567	81,905	74,354
Americas Foods and Beverages [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	2,350,825	2,123,997	1,921,444
Americas Fresh Foods [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	575,283	0	0
Europe Foods and Beverages [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	510,497	418,066	367,994
Operating Segments [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	3,436,605	2,542,063	2,289,438
Operating income:
Related party license income			36,034
Operating income (loss)	266,686	157,432	180,253
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	36,972	18,027	9,924
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	224,448	143,234	169,372
Operating Segments [Member] | Americas Foods and Beverages [Member]
Operating income:
Operating income (loss)	264,197	215,155	178,960
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	62,290	59,717	54,499
Operating Segments [Member] | Americas Fresh Foods [Member]
Operating income:
Operating income (loss)	47,723	0	0
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	25,771	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Europe Foods and Beverages [Member]
Operating income:
Operating income (loss)	52,673	20,879	23,735
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	21,143	21,628	19,855
Reportable Segment [Member]
Operating income:
Operating income (loss)	364,593	236,034	202,695
Corporate [Member]
Operating income:
Operating income (loss)	-97,907	-78,602	-58,476
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	$1,363	$560	$0

Segment_Geographic_and_Custome4

Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information (Sales Amounts by Product Categories) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Total net sales:
Net sales	$3,436,605	$2,542,063	$2,289,438
Americas Foods and Beverages [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	2,350,825	2,123,997	1,921,444
Americas Foods and Beverages [Member] | Plantbased Food And Beverages [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	715,667	627,716	549,727
Americas Foods and Beverages [Member] | Coffee Creamers And Beverages [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	990,998	913,517	818,880
Americas Foods and Beverages [Member] | Premium Dairy [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	644,160	582,764	552,837
Americas Fresh Foods [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	575,283	0	0
Americas Fresh Foods [Member] | Organic Salads, Fruits, and Vegetables [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	575,283	0	0
Europe Foods and Beverages [Member]
Total net sales:
Net sales	$510,497	$418,066	$367,994

Segment_Geographic_and_Custome5

Segment, Geographic, and Customer Information (Summarized Balance Sheet Amounts by Segment) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:
Assets	$3,372,841	$2,283,184
Long-lived Assets:
Long-lived Assets	993,207	659,683
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	302,274	155,478
Operating Segments [Member]
Assets:
Assets	3,372,841	2,283,184
Operating Segments [Member] | Americas Foods and Beverages [Member]
Assets:
Assets	1,935,524	1,588,104
Long-lived Assets:
Long-lived Assets	638,618	484,739
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	208,623	128,877
Operating Segments [Member] | Americas Fresh Foods [Member]
Assets:
Assets	713,211	0
Long-lived Assets:
Long-lived Assets	157,079	0
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	28,497	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Europe Foods and Beverages [Member]
Assets:
Assets	563,963	563,026
Long-lived Assets:
Long-lived Assets	184,506	163,860
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	62,147	20,732
Corporate [Member]
Assets:
Assets	160,143	132,054
Long-lived Assets:
Long-lived Assets	13,004	11,084
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	$3,007	$5,869

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
		Subsidiary
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Dean Foods corporate cost allocation	$50,700,000				$32,700,000
Transaction costs related to initial public offering	17,500,000
Number of subsidiaries involved in agreement		2
Renewal of agreement		1 year
Net sales to related parties		0	37,063,000	109,513,000
Related party license income		0	0	36,034,000
Loans receivable, basis spread on variable rate				2.00%
Interest income				6,400,000
Suiza Dairy Group LLC and Dean Dairy Holdings LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of renewal options		4
Agreement term		1 year
Dean Foods Net Investment [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses related to transaction with related party		2,200,000	19,000,000	5,400,000
Net sales to related parties		$700,000	$3,000,000	$2,600,000

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations									$140,185	$99,041	$112,514
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares (in shares)									174,013,700	173,120,689	153,770,492
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)									$0.81	$0.57	$0.73
Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)									$0	$0	$0.01
Basic earnings per share from net income (in dollars per share)	$0.19	$0.23	$0.20	$0.19	$0.11	$0.14	$0.18	$0.14	$0.81	$0.57	$0.74
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations									$140,185	$99,041	$112,514
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares — basic (in shares)									174,013,700	173,120,689	153,770,492
Weighted average common shares — diluted (in shares)									177,949,916	174,581,468	153,770,497
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)									$0.79	$0.57	$0.73
Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)									$0	$0	$0.01
Basic earnings per share from net income (in dollars per share)	$0.18	$0.23	$0.19	$0.18	$0.11	$0.14	$0.18	$0.14	$0.79	$0.57	$0.74
Stock Options [Member]
Denominator:
Stock option conversion and Stock units (in shares)									3,268,052	820,743	0
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Denominator:
Stock option conversion and Stock units (in shares)									668,164	640,036	5
Stock Options [Member]
Denominator:
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									3,599	4,045,309	2,445,327
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Denominator:
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									1,344	10	666,999

Supplemental_Guarantor_Financi2

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$50,240	$101,105	$69,373	$96,987
Trade receivables, net of allowance	192,692	146,864
Inventories	215,669	158,569
Deferred income taxes	30,263	26,588
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	50,323	23,095
Total current assets	539,187	456,221
Equity method investments	43,160	0
Property, plant, and equipment, net	993,207	659,683
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	729,011	394,937
Goodwill	1,068,276	772,343	765,586
Total Assets	3,372,841	2,283,184
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	469,764	357,106
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	21,158	15,000
Income taxes payable	496	14,294
Total current liabilities	491,418	386,400
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,495,822	647,650
Deferred income taxes	267,010	237,765
Other long-term liabilities	42,104	49,930
Total liabilities	2,296,354	1,321,745
Total shareholders’ equity	1,076,487	961,439	784,956	1,140,686
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	3,372,841	2,283,184
Operating Segments [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	50,240	101,105	69,373	96,987
Trade receivables, net of allowance	192,692	146,864
Inventories	215,669	158,569
Deferred income taxes	30,263	26,588
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	50,323	23,095
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Total current assets	539,187	456,221
Equity method investments	43,160
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Property, plant, and equipment, net	993,207	659,683
Deferred income taxes	0
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	729,011	394,937
Goodwill	1,068,276	772,343
Total Assets	3,372,841	2,283,184
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	469,764	357,106
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	21,158	15,000
Income taxes payable	496	14,294
Intercompany payables	0	0
Total current liabilities	491,418	386,400
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,495,822	647,650
Deferred income taxes	267,010	237,765
Other long-term liabilities	42,104	49,930
Total liabilities	2,296,354	1,321,745
Total shareholders’ equity	1,076,487	961,439
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	3,372,841	2,283,184
Operating Segments [Member] | Whitewave Foods Co [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	6,675	0
Trade receivables, net of allowance	317	332
Inventories	0	0
Deferred income taxes	12,305	12,671
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,014	3,650
Intercompany receivables	1,087,095	97,619
Total current assets	1,117,731	114,272
Equity method investments	0
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	1,968,899	1,783,006
Property, plant, and equipment, net	7,953	6,028
Deferred income taxes	20,835
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	31,803	40,762
Goodwill	0	0
Total Assets	3,147,221	1,944,068
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	41,478	39,727
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	20,000	15,000
Income taxes payable	0	13,079
Intercompany payables	504,442	227,549
Total current liabilities	565,920	295,355
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,475,000	647,650
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	29,814	39,624
Total liabilities	2,070,734	982,629
Total shareholders’ equity	1,076,487	961,439
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	3,147,221	1,944,068
Operating Segments [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	524	673	49	312
Trade receivables, net of allowance	134,352	100,124
Inventories	182,770	124,964
Deferred income taxes	15,742	10,652
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,318	9,304
Intercompany receivables	504,442	244,502
Total current assets	856,148	490,219
Equity method investments	3,000
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	438,832	464,420
Property, plant, and equipment, net	795,696	484,739
Deferred income taxes	0
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	600,592	267,983
Goodwill	916,482	600,316
Total Assets	3,610,750	2,307,677
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	319,247	222,022
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	1,158	0
Income taxes payable	0	0
Intercompany payables	1,062,081	95,175
Total current liabilities	1,382,486	317,197
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	20,822	0
Deferred income taxes	236,983	205,860
Other long-term liabilities	1,560	1,614
Total liabilities	1,641,851	524,671
Total shareholders’ equity	1,968,899	1,783,006
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	3,610,750	2,307,677
Operating Segments [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	49,716	100,432	62,649	96,675
Trade receivables, net of allowance	58,023	46,408
Inventories	32,899	33,605
Deferred income taxes	2,216	3,265
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	13,991	10,141
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Total current assets	156,845	193,851
Equity method investments	40,160
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Property, plant, and equipment, net	189,558	168,916
Deferred income taxes	0
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	96,616	110,726
Goodwill	151,794	172,027
Total Assets	634,973	645,520
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	109,039	95,357
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Income taxes payable	496	1,215
Intercompany payables	25,014	19,397
Total current liabilities	134,549	115,969
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Deferred income taxes	50,862	56,439
Other long-term liabilities	10,730	8,692
Total liabilities	196,141	181,100
Total shareholders’ equity	438,832	464,420
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	634,973	645,520
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Trade receivables, net of allowance	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0
Intercompany receivables	-1,591,537	-342,121
Total current assets	-1,591,537	-342,121
Equity method investments
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	-2,407,731	-2,247,426
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-20,835
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	0	-24,534
Goodwill	0	0
Total Assets	-4,020,103	-2,614,081
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	0	0
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Income taxes payable	0	0
Intercompany payables	-1,591,537	-342,121
Total current liabilities	-1,591,537	-342,121
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-20,835	-24,534
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	-1,612,372	-366,655
Total shareholders’ equity	-2,407,731	-2,247,426
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	($4,020,103)	($2,614,081)

Supplemental_Guarantor_Financi3

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales		$910,989	$857,467	$837,926	$830,223	$679,311	$638,518	$615,990	$608,244		$3,436,605	$2,503,487	$2,175,374
Net sales to related parties											0	37,063	109,513
Transitional sales fees											0	1,513	4,551
Total net sales											3,436,605	2,542,063	2,289,438
Cost of sales											2,283,441	1,634,646	1,485,494
Gross profit		301,934	292,756	285,260	273,214	238,209	226,452	224,213	218,543		1,153,164	907,417	803,944
Related party license income											0	0	36,034
Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution, and marketing											621,866	528,233	492,130
General and administrative											265,678	197,526	167,595
Asset disposal and exit costs											-1,066	24,226	0
Total operating expenses											886,478	749,985	659,725
Operating income (loss)											266,686	157,432	180,253
Other expense (income):
Interest expense											36,972	18,027	9,924
Other expense (income), net											5,266	-3,829	957
Total other expense											42,238	14,198	10,881
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries											224,448	143,234	169,372
Income tax expense (benefit)											78,279	44,193	56,858
Loss in equity method investments											5,984	0	0
Income from continuing operations		32,561	40,857	34,407	32,360	19,541	24,293	31,209	23,998		140,185	99,041	112,514
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax											0	0	403
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax											0	0	2,056
Net income		32,561	40,857	34,407	32,360	19,541	24,293	31,209	23,998		140,185	99,041	114,973
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest											0	0	-1,279
Net income (loss)	18,086									95,608	140,185	99,041	113,694
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company											-52,678	19,248	8,647
Comprehensive income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company											87,507	118,289	122,341
Operating Segments [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales												2,503,487	2,175,374
Net sales to related parties												37,063	109,513
Transitional sales fees												1,513	4,551
Total net sales											3,436,605	2,542,063	2,289,438
Cost of sales											2,283,441	1,634,646	1,485,494
Gross profit											1,153,164	907,417	803,944
Related party license income													36,034
Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution, and marketing											621,866	528,233	492,130
General and administrative											265,678	197,526	167,595
Asset disposal and exit costs											-1,066	24,226
Total operating expenses											886,478	749,985	659,725
Operating income (loss)											266,686	157,432	180,253
Other expense (income):
Interest expense											36,972	18,027	9,924
Other expense (income), net											5,266	-3,829	957
Total other expense											42,238	14,198	10,881
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries											224,448	143,234	169,372
Income tax expense (benefit)											78,279	44,193	56,858
Loss in equity method investments											5,984
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries											140,185	99,041	112,514
Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries											0	0	0
Income from continuing operations													112,514
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax													403
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax													2,056
Net income											140,185	99,041	114,973
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest													-1,279
Net income (loss)											-52,678		113,694
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company											87,507	19,248	8,647
Comprehensive income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company												118,289	122,341
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales												0	0
Net sales to related parties												0	0
Transitional sales fees												0	0
Total net sales											0	0	0
Cost of sales											0	0	0
Gross profit											0	0	0
Related party license income													0
Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution, and marketing											0	0	0
General and administrative											0	0	0
Asset disposal and exit costs											0	0
Total operating expenses											0	0	0
Operating income (loss)											0	0	0
Other expense (income):
Interest expense											0	0	0
Other expense (income), net											0	0	0
Total other expense											0	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries											0	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)											0	0	0
Loss in equity method investments											0
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries											0	0	0
Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries											-175,323	-117,182	-144,033
Income from continuing operations													-144,033
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax													0
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax													0
Net income											-175,323	-117,182	-144,033
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest													0
Net income (loss)											105,925		-144,033
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company											-69,398	-37,768	-17,294
Comprehensive income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company												-154,950	-161,327
Whitewave Foods Co [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales												0	0
Net sales to related parties												0	0
Transitional sales fees												0	0
Total net sales											0	0	0
Cost of sales											0	0	0
Gross profit											0	0	0
Related party license income													0
Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution, and marketing											0	0	0
General and administrative											92,122	76,178	5,604
Asset disposal and exit costs											0	0
Total operating expenses											92,122	76,178	5,604
Operating income (loss)											-92,122	-76,178	-5,604
Other expense (income):
Interest expense											35,555	17,944	3,829
Other expense (income), net											-131,251	-90,608	1,151
Total other expense											-95,696	-72,664	4,980
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries											3,574	-3,514	-10,584
Income tax expense (benefit)											9,378	-1,102	-3,932
Loss in equity method investments											0
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries											-5,804	-2,412	-6,652
Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries											145,989	101,453	120,346
Income from continuing operations													113,694
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax													0
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax													0
Net income											140,185	99,041	113,694
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest													0
Net income (loss)											-52,678		113,694
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company											87,507	19,248	8,647
Comprehensive income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company												118,289	122,341
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales												2,085,421	1,807,380
Net sales to related parties												37,063	109,513
Transitional sales fees												1,513	4,551
Total net sales											2,926,108	2,123,997	1,921,444
Cost of sales											1,991,748	1,386,336	1,268,785
Gross profit											934,360	737,661	652,659
Related party license income													36,034
Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution, and marketing											505,567	435,120	405,741
General and administrative											117,938	72,960	118,916
Asset disposal and exit costs											-1,066	14,426
Total operating expenses											622,439	522,506	524,657
Operating income (loss)											311,921	215,155	164,036
Other expense (income):
Interest expense											1,219	0	6,284
Other expense (income), net											134,037	84,776	1,865
Total other expense											135,256	84,776	8,149
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries											176,665	130,379	155,887
Income tax expense (benefit)											60,010	44,655	59,228
Loss in equity method investments											0
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries											116,655	85,724	96,659
Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries											29,334	15,729	23,687
Income from continuing operations													120,346
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax													0
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax													0
Net income											145,989	101,453	120,346
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest													0
Net income (loss)											-52,678		120,346
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company											93,311	19,248	8,647
Comprehensive income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company												120,701	128,993
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales												418,066	367,994
Net sales to related parties												0	0
Transitional sales fees												0	0
Total net sales											510,497	418,066	367,994
Cost of sales											291,693	248,310	216,709
Gross profit											218,804	169,756	151,285
Related party license income													0
Operating expenses:
Selling, distribution, and marketing											116,299	93,113	86,389
General and administrative											55,618	48,388	43,075
Asset disposal and exit costs											0	9,800
Total operating expenses											171,917	151,301	129,464
Operating income (loss)											46,887	18,455	21,821
Other expense (income):
Interest expense											198	83	-189
Other expense (income), net											2,480	2,003	-2,059
Total other expense											2,678	2,086	-2,248
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries											44,209	16,369	24,069
Income tax expense (benefit)											8,891	640	1,562
Loss in equity method investments											5,984
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries											29,334	15,729	22,507
Equity (loss) in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries											0	0	0
Income from continuing operations													22,507
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax													403
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax													2,056
Net income											29,334	15,729	24,966
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest													-1,279
Net income (loss)											-53,247		23,687
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company											-23,913	18,520	8,647
Comprehensive income attributable to The WhiteWave Foods Company												$34,249	$32,334

Supplemental_Guarantor_Financi4

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$284,613	$184,941	$236,521
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-798,446	0	0
Payments for property, plant, and equipment	-292,357	-131,769	-102,931
Proceeds from recoveries	0	0	3,356
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	464	92,352	1,490
Net cash used in investing activities — continuing operations	-1,140,624	-39,417	-98,085
Net cash provided by investing activities — discontinued operations	0	0	5,900
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,140,624	-39,417	-92,185
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distributions to Dean Foods, net	0	-871	-130,844
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	0	0	500,000
Repayment of intercompany notes to Dean Foods	0	0	-1,155,000
Payments of capital lease obligations	-1,044	0	0
Proceeds from revolver line of credit	625,400	624,150	519,200
Payments for revolver line of credit	-803,050	-727,050	-238,650
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,092	1,298	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	4,466	515	0
Payment of deferred financing costs	-18,200	-16	-12,403
Capital contribution from (distribution to) non-controlling interest	0	0	-6,046
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities — continuing operations	813,218	-116,974	-172,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations	0	0	-269
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	813,218	-116,974	-172,387
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-8,072	3,182	437
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-50,865	31,732	-27,614
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	101,105	69,373	96,987
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	50,240	101,105	69,373
Operating Segments [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	284,613	184,941	236,521
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in equity method investments	-50,285
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-798,446
Payments for property, plant, and equipment	-292,357	-131,769	-102,931
Intercompany contributions	0	0	0
Proceeds from recoveries			3,356
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	464	92,352	1,490
Net cash used in investing activities — continuing operations			-98,085
Net cash provided by investing activities — discontinued operations			5,900
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,140,624	-39,417	-92,185
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Intercompany contributions	0	0	0
Distributions to Dean Foods, net		-871	-130,844
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs			367,540
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	1,025,000		500,000
Repayment of intercompany notes to Dean Foods			-1,155,000
Repayment of debt	-15,000	-15,000
Payments of capital lease obligations	-1,044
Proceeds from revolver line of credit	625,400	624,150	519,200
Payments for revolver line of credit	-803,050	-727,050	-238,650
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility			150,735
Payments for receivables-backed facility			-166,650
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,092	1,298
Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units	-7,446
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	4,466	515
Payment of deferred financing costs	-18,200	-16	-12,403
Capital contribution from (distribution to) non-controlling interest			-6,046
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities — continuing operations			-172,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations			-269
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	813,218	-116,974	-172,387
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-8,072	3,182	437
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-50,865	31,732	-27,614
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	101,105	69,373	96,987
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	50,240	101,105	69,373
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in equity method investments	0
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0
Payments for property, plant, and equipment	0	0	0
Intercompany contributions	766,016	161,645	1,179,742
Proceeds from recoveries			0
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	0	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities — continuing operations			1,179,742
Net cash provided by investing activities — discontinued operations			0
Net cash used in investing activities	766,016	161,645	1,179,742
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Intercompany contributions	-766,016	-161,645	-1,179,742
Distributions to Dean Foods, net		0	0
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs			0
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	0		0
Repayment of intercompany notes to Dean Foods			0
Repayment of debt	0	0
Payments of capital lease obligations	0
Proceeds from revolver line of credit	0	0	0
Payments for revolver line of credit	0	0	0
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility			0
Payments for receivables-backed facility			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0
Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	0	0
Payment of deferred financing costs	0	0	0
Capital contribution from (distribution to) non-controlling interest			0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities — continuing operations			-1,179,742
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations			0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-766,016	-161,645	-1,179,742
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0	0	0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	60,242	47,984	44,654
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in equity method investments	-47,285
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0
Payments for property, plant, and equipment	-59,091	-17,020	-11,616
Intercompany contributions	0	0	-16,851
Proceeds from recoveries			0
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	0	0	611
Net cash used in investing activities — continuing operations			-27,856
Net cash provided by investing activities — discontinued operations			5,900
Net cash used in investing activities	-106,376	-17,020	-21,956
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Intercompany contributions	3,490	3,553	0
Distributions to Dean Foods, net		84	-40,977
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs			0
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	0		0
Repayment of intercompany notes to Dean Foods			0
Repayment of debt	0	0
Payments of capital lease obligations	0
Proceeds from revolver line of credit	0	0	0
Payments for revolver line of credit	0	0	0
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility			150,735
Payments for receivables-backed facility			-166,650
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0
Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	0	0
Payment of deferred financing costs	0	0	0
Capital contribution from (distribution to) non-controlling interest			0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities — continuing operations			-56,892
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations			-269
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,490	3,637	-57,161
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-8,072	3,182	437
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-50,716	37,783	-34,026
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	100,432	62,649	96,675
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	49,716	100,432	62,649
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	230,511	179,293	157,988
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in equity method investments	-3,000
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-798,446
Payments for property, plant, and equipment	-191,160	-109,250	-91,315
Intercompany contributions	0	-161,645	0
Proceeds from recoveries			3,356
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	464	92,352	879
Net cash used in investing activities — continuing operations			-87,080
Net cash provided by investing activities — discontinued operations			0
Net cash used in investing activities	-992,142	-178,543	-87,080
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Intercompany contributions	762,526	0	1,179,742
Distributions to Dean Foods, net		-126	-89,867
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs			0
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	0		0
Repayment of intercompany notes to Dean Foods			-1,155,000
Repayment of debt	0	0
Payments of capital lease obligations	-1,044
Proceeds from revolver line of credit	0	0	0
Payments for revolver line of credit	0	0	0
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility			0
Payments for receivables-backed facility			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0
Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	0	0
Payment of deferred financing costs	0	0	0
Capital contribution from (distribution to) non-controlling interest			-6,046
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities — continuing operations			-71,171
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations			0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	761,482	-126	-71,171
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-149	624	-263
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	673	49	312
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	524	673	49
Whitewave Foods Co [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-6,140	-42,336	33,879
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in equity method investments	0
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0
Payments for property, plant, and equipment	-42,106	-5,499	0
Intercompany contributions	-766,016	0	-1,162,891
Proceeds from recoveries			0
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	0	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities — continuing operations			-1,162,891
Net cash provided by investing activities — discontinued operations			0
Net cash used in investing activities	-808,122	-5,499	-1,162,891
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Intercompany contributions	0	158,092	0
Distributions to Dean Foods, net		-829	0
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs			367,540
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	1,025,000		500,000
Repayment of intercompany notes to Dean Foods			0
Repayment of debt	-15,000	-15,000
Payments of capital lease obligations	0
Proceeds from revolver line of credit	625,400	624,150	519,200
Payments for revolver line of credit	-803,050	-727,050	-238,650
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility			0
Payments for receivables-backed facility			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,092	1,298
Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units	-7,446
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	4,466	515
Payment of deferred financing costs	-18,200	-16	-12,403
Capital contribution from (distribution to) non-controlling interest			0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities — continuing operations			1,135,687
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations			0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	814,262	41,160	1,135,687
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	0	-6,675	6,675
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	6,675	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$0	$0	$6,675

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation2

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Net sales	$910,989,000	$857,467,000	$837,926,000	$830,223,000	$679,311,000	$638,518,000	$615,990,000	$608,244,000	$3,436,605,000	$2,503,487,000	$2,175,374,000
Gross profit	301,934,000	292,756,000	285,260,000	273,214,000	238,209,000	226,452,000	224,213,000	218,543,000	1,153,164,000	907,417,000	803,944,000
Income from continuing operations	32,561,000	40,857,000	34,407,000	32,360,000	19,541,000	24,293,000	31,209,000	23,998,000	140,185,000	99,041,000	112,514,000
Net income	32,561,000	40,857,000	34,407,000	32,360,000	19,541,000	24,293,000	31,209,000	23,998,000	140,185,000	99,041,000	114,973,000
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.19	$0.23	$0.20	$0.19	$0.11	$0.14	$0.18	$0.14	$0.81	$0.57	$0.74
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.18	$0.23	$0.19	$0.18	$0.11	$0.14	$0.18	$0.14	$0.79	$0.57	$0.74
Write-down of assets									-1,066,000	24,226,000	0
Idaho Dairy Farm [Member]
Diluted earnings per common share:
Write-down of assets	3,700,000					7,400,000
Non-cash write-down of assets, net of tax	2,300,000					4,500,000
Charge related to lease liabilities, severance and related cost	3,300,000									3,300,000
Charge related to lease liabilities, severance charge and related cost, net of tax	2,000,000
Sofine Foods Bv [Member]
Diluted earnings per common share:
Write-down of assets	$9,800,000