Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies

On September 19, 2012, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed three search warrants authorizing the seizure of certain records from Seaboard’s offices in Merriam, Kansas and at the Seaboard Foods employment office and the human resources department in Guymon, Oklahoma.  The warrants generally called for the seizure of employment-related files, certain e-mails and other electronic records relating to Medicaid and Medicaid recipients, certain health care providers in the Guymon area, and Seaboard’s health plan and certain personnel issues.  This investigation is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma (“USAO”).  Seaboard is cooperating with the USAO in connection with this investigation.  No civil or criminal proceedings or charges have been filed or brought.  It is not possible at this time to determine whether Seaboard will incur any material fines, penalties or liabilities in connection with this matter.

Seaboard is subject to various administrative and judicial proceedings and other legal matters related to the normal conduct of its business.  In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolutions of these items are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Seaboard.

Contingent Obligations

Certain of the non-consolidated affiliates and third party contractors who perform services for Seaboard have bank debt supporting their underlying operations.  From time to time, Seaboard will provide guarantees of that debt allowing a lower borrowing rate or facilitating third party financing in order to further Seaboard’s business objectives.  Seaboard does not issue guarantees of third parties for compensation.  As of March 29, 2014, guarantees outstanding to third parties were not material. Seaboard has not accrued a liability for any of the third party or affiliate guarantees as management considers the likelihood of loss to be remote.

As of March 29, 2014, Seaboard’s borrowing capacity under its committed and uncommitted lines was reduced by letters of credit (“LCs”) totaling $543,000 and $3,706,000, respectively.  The notes payable to banks under the credit lines are unsecured.  The lines of credit do not require compensating balances.