Legal Proceedings

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Legal Proceedings [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Text Block

14.       In June, 2010, the Company received a Notice of Violation of the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly known as Proposition 65, from the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF).  This notice was made to the California Attorney General and various other government officials, and to 49 companies including Seneca Foods Corporation whom ELF alleges manufactured, distributed or sold packaged peaches, pears, fruit cocktail and fruit juice that contain lead without providing a clear and reasonable warning to consumers.  Under California law, proper notice must be made to the State and involved firms at least 60 days before any suit under Proposition 65 may be filed by private litigants like ELF.  That 60-day period has expired and, to date, neither the California Attorney General nor any appropriate district attorney or city attorney has initiated an action against the Company.  However, the private litigant ELF, filed a private civil action against 28 companies, including Seneca Foods Corporation, and other unnamed defendants on September 28, 2011, in Alameda County Superior Court in California. Service of the action on the Company was effective on November 2, 2011. With the commencement of this action under Proposition 65, the Company is defending itself vigorously.  As this matter is still at a very early stage, we are not able to predict the probability of the outcome or estimate of loss, if any, related to this matter.  Additionally, in the ordinary course of its business, the Company is made party to certain legal proceedings seeking monetary damages, including proceedings invoking product liability claims, either directly or through indemnification obligations, and we are not able to predict the probability of the outcome or estimate of loss, if any, related to any such matter.