2.0.0.10 false Significant Accounting Policies 0201 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies true false false false 1 usd $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 2 Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] 0 us-gaap_GeneralPoliciesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 3 Significant Accounting Policies 1 us-gaap_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0   <div style="margin-left: 0%">  <div align="center" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> </font></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 0pt; font-size: 1pt"></div> <div align="center" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> </font></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff; text-align: left"> <tr> <td width="4%"></td> <td width="96%"></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> <b><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">1.  </font></b> </td> <td> <b><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Significant Accounting Policies</font></b> </td> </tr> </table> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Fiscal Year:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> H. J. Heinz Company (the “Company”) operates on a 52-week or 53-week fiscal year ending the Wednesday nearest April 30. However, certain foreign subsidiaries have earlier closing dates to facilitate timely reporting. Fiscal years, for the financial statements included herein, ended April 28, 2010, April 29, 2009, and April 30, 2008. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Principles of Consolidation:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and entities in which the Company maintains a controlling financial interest. Control is generally determined based on the majority ownership of an entity’s voting interests. In certain situations, control is based on participation in the majority of an entity’s economic risks and rewards. Investments in certain companies over which the Company exerts significant influence, but does not control the financial and operating decisions, are accounted for as equity method investments. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the Fiscal 2010 presentation. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Use of Estimates:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Translation of Foreign Currencies:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> For all significant foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each year-end. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss) within shareholders’ equity. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in net income for the period. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Highly Inflationary Accounting:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> The Company applies highly inflationary accounting if the cumulative inflation rate in an economy for a three-year period meets or exceeds 100 percent. Under highly inflationary accounting, the financial statements of a subsidiary are remeasured into the Company’s reporting currency (U.S. dollars) and exchange gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in current earnings, rather than accumulated other comprehensive loss on the balance sheet, until such time as the economy is no longer considered highly inflationary. See Note 19 for additional information. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Cash Equivalents:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> Cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. </div>  </div>   <div style="margin-left: 0%">  <div align="center" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b> <font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> </font> </b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 0pt; font-size: 1pt"> </div> <div align="center" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b> <font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> </font> </b> </div>  <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Inventories:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined principally under the average cost method. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Property, Plant and Equipment:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> Land, buildings and equipment are recorded at cost. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally have the following ranges: buildings—40 years or less, machinery and equipment—15 years or less, computer software—3 to 7 years, and leasehold improvements—over the life of the lease, not to exceed 15 years. Accelerated depreciation methods are generally used for income tax purposes. Expenditures for new facilities and improvements that substantially extend the capacity or useful life of an asset are capitalized. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any related gains or losses are included in income. The Company reviews property, plant and equipment, whenever circumstances change such that the indicated recorded value of an asset may not be recoverable. Factors that may affect recoverability include changes in planned use of equipment or software, and the closing of facilities. The Company’s impairment review is based on an undiscounted cash flow analysis at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist and are largely independent. When the carrying value of the asset exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment is indicated and the asset is written down to its fair value. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Goodwill and Intangibles:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated periods benefited, and are reviewed when appropriate for possible impairment, similar to property, plant and equipment. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized. The carrying values of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested at least annually for impairment, or when circumstances indicate that a possible impairment may exist. The annual impairment tests are performed as of the last day of the third quarter of each fiscal year. All goodwill is assigned to reporting units, which are primarily one level below our operating segments. We perform our impairment tests of goodwill at the reporting unit level. The Company’s measure of impairment for both goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives is based on a discounted cash flow model, using a market participant approach, that requires significant judgment and requires assumptions about future volume trends, revenue and expense growth rates, terminal growth rates, discount rates, tax rates, working capital changes and macroeconomic factors. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Revenue Recognition:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> The Company recognizes revenue when title, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer. This primarily occurs upon delivery of the product to the customer. For the most part, customers do not have the right to return products unless damaged or defective. Revenue is recorded, net of sales incentives, and includes shipping and handling charges billed to customers. Shipping and handling costs are primarily classified as part of selling, general and administrative expenses. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Marketing Costs:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> The Company promotes its products with advertising, consumer incentives and trade promotions. Such programs include, but are not limited to, discounts, coupons, rebates, in-store display incentives and volume-based incentives. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Consumer incentive and trade promotion activities are primarily recorded as a reduction of revenue or as a component of cost of products sold based on amounts estimated as being due to customers and consumers at the end of a period, based principally on historical utilization and redemption rates. Accruals for trade promotions are initially recorded at the time of sale of product to the customer based on an estimate of the expected levels of performance of the trade promotion, which is dependent upon factors such as historical trends with similar promotions, expectations regarding customer participation, and sales and payment trends with similar previously offered programs. We perform monthly evaluations of our outstanding trade promotions, making adjustments where appropriate to reflect changes in estimates. Settlement of these liabilities typically occurs in subsequent periods primarily through an authorization process for deductions taken by a customer from amounts otherwise due to the Company. Expenses associated with coupons, which we refer to as coupon redemption costs, are accrued in the period in which the coupons are offered. The initial estimates made for each coupon offering are based upon historical redemption experience rates for similar products or coupon amounts. We perform monthly evaluations of outstanding coupon accruals that compare actual redemption rates to the original estimates. For interim reporting purposes, advertising, consumer incentive and product placement expenses are charged to operations as a percentage of volume, based on estimated volume and related expense for the full year. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Income Taxes:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> Deferred income taxes result primarily from temporary differences between financial and tax reporting. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. When assessing the need for valuation allowances, the Company considers future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the realizability of deferred tax assets in future years, the Company would adjust related valuation allowances in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or charge to income. </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> The Company has not provided for possible U.S. taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are considered to be reinvested indefinitely. Calculation of the unrecognized deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to these earnings is not practicable. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Stock-Based Employee Compensation Plans:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> The Company recognizes the cost of all stock-based awards to employees, including grants of employee stock options, on a straight-line basis over their respective requisite service periods (generally equal to an award’s vesting period). A stock-based award is considered vested for expense attribution purposes when the employee’s retention of the award is no longer contingent on providing subsequent service. Accordingly, the Company recognizes compensation cost immediately for awards granted to retirement-eligible individuals or over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved, if less than the stated vesting period. The vesting approach used does not affect the overall amount of compensation expense recognized, but could accelerate the recognition of expense. The Company follows its previous vesting approach for the remaining portion of those outstanding awards that were unvested and granted prior to May 4, 2006, and accordingly, will recognize expense from the grant date to the earlier of the actual date of retirement or the vesting date. Judgment is required in estimating the amount of stock-based awards expected to be forfeited prior to vesting. If actual forfeitures differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense could be materially impacted. </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> Compensation cost related to all stock-based awards is determined using the grant date fair value. Determining the fair value of employee stock options at the grant date requires judgment in estimating the expected term that the stock options will be outstanding prior to exercise as well as the volatility and dividends over the expected term. Compensation cost for restricted stock units is determined based on the fair value of the Company’s stock at the grant date. The Company applies the modified-prospective transition method for stock options granted on or prior to, but not vested as of, May 3, 2006. Compensation cost related to these stock options is determined using the grant date fair value originally estimated and disclosed in a pro-forma manner in prior period financial statements in accordance with the original provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB’s”) guidance for stock compensation. </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> All stock-based compensation expense is recognized as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. </div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> <b><i><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times">Financial Instruments:</font></i></b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, short-term and long-term debt, swaps, forward contracts, and option contracts. The carrying values for the Company’s financial instruments approximate fair value. As a policy, the Company does not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor does the Company hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> The Company uses derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging currency, debt and interest rate exposures, which exist as part of ongoing business operations. The Company carries derivative instruments on the balance sheet at fair value, determined using observable market data. Derivatives with scheduled maturities of less than one year are included in other receivables or other payables, based on the instrument’s fair value. Derivatives with scheduled maturities beyond one year are classified between current and long-term based on the timing of anticipated future cash flows. The current portion of these instruments is included in other receivables or other payables and the long-term portion is presented as a component of other non-current assets or other non-current liabilities, based on the instrument’s fair value. </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: #ffffff"> The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding it. Gains and losses on fair value hedges are recognized in current period earnings in the same line item as the underlying hedged item. The effective portion of gains and losses on cash flow hedges are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and are recognized in earnings at the time the hedged item affects earnings, in the same line item as the underlying hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness related to cash flow hedges is reported in current period earnings within other income and expense. The income statement classification of gains and losses related to derivative contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting is determined based on the underlying intent of the contracts. Cash flows related to the settlement of derivative instruments designated as net investment hedges of foreign operations are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows within investing activities. Cash flows related to the termination of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate debt obligations are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows within financing activities. All other cash flows related to derivative instruments are generally classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows within operating activities. </div> </div>  <!-- Begin Block Tagged Note false false false This element may be used to describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8 false false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true