Contingencies

1 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2015

Loss Contingency [Abstract]

Contingencies [Text Block]

NOTE 13

CONTINGENCIES

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings, claims, and governmental inspections or investigations in the ordinary course of business covering matters such as general commercial, governmental regulations, antitrust and trade regulations, product liability, environmental, intellectual property, workers' compensation, employment and other actions. These matters are subject to uncertainty and the outcome is not predictable with assurance. The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks, including workers' compensation, general liability, automobile liability and product liability.

The Company has established accruals for certain matters where losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable. There are other claims and legal proceedings pending against the Company for which accruals have not been established. It is reasonably possible that some of these matters could result in an unfavorable judgment against the Company and could require payment of claims in amounts that cannot be estimated at January 3, 2015. Based upon current information, management does not expect any of the claims or legal proceedings pending against the Company to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In connection with the Company's on-going labor negotiations with the union representing the work-force at our Memphis, TN cereal production facility, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a complaint alleging unfair labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act in March 2014. In July 2014, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that the Memphis employees were entitled to return to work while the underlying litigation continues and employees have subsequently returned to work. In August 2014, an NLRB Administrative Law Judge dismissed the complaint that initiated the underlying litigation. The union and the NLRB have appealed that decision and the case continues. This litigation is not expected to have a material effect on the production or distribution of products from the Memphis, TN facility or a material financial impact on the Company. As of January 3, 2015, the Company has not recorded a liability related to this matter as an adverse outcome is not considered probable. The Company will continue to evaluate the likelihood of potential outcomes for this case as the litigation continues.