key employees and customers of the acquired companies, the  possible assumption of unknown liabilities, potential disputes  with the sellers, potential impairment charges if purchase  assumptions are not achieved or market conditions decline,  and the inherent risks in entering markets or lines of business  in which the Company has limited or no prior experience. Any  or all of these risks could impact the Company’s financial  results and business reputation. In addition, acquisitions  outside the United States may present unique challenges and  increase the Company’s exposure to the risks associated with  foreign operations. The Company’s operations are subject to the general risks  of litigation.  The Company is involved on an ongoing basis in  litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Trends  in litigation may include class actions involving employees,  consumers, competitors, suppliers, shareholders, or injured  persons, and claims relating to product liability, contract  disputes, intellectual property, advertising, labeling, wage and  hour laws, employment practices, or environmental matters.  Litigation trends and the outcome of litigation cannot be  predicted with certainty and adverse litigation trends and out- comes could adversely affect the Company’s financial results. The Company is subject to the loss of a material contract.  The Company is a party to several supply, distribution,  contract packaging, and other material contracts. The loss  of a material contract could adversely affect the Company’s  financial results. Government regulation, present and future, exposes the  Company to potential sanctions and compliance costs  that could adversely affect the Company’s business.  The  Company’s operations are subject to extensive regula- tion by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the  U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug  Administration, federal and state taxing authorities, and other  state and local authorities that oversee workforce immigration  laws, tax regulations, animal welfare, food safety standards,  and the processing, packaging, storage, distribution, advertis- ing, and labeling of the Company’s products. The Company’s  manufacturing facilities and products are subject to continu- ous inspection by federal, state, and local authorities. Claims  or enforcement proceedings could be brought against the  Company in the future. The availability of government inspec- tors due to a government furlough could also cause disruption  to the Company’s manufacturing facilities. Additionally, the  Company is subject to new or modified laws, regulations, and  accounting standards. The Company’s failure or inability to  comply with such requirements could subject the Company  to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls, or sei- zures, as well as potential criminal sanctions. The Company is subject to stringent environmental regu- lation and potentially subject to environmental litigation,  proceedings, and investigations.  The Company’s past and  present business operations and ownership and operation  of real property are subject to stringent federal, state, and  Deterioration of labor relations or increases in labor costs  could harm the Company’s business.  As of October 26, 2014, the Company had approximately 20,400 employees worldwide,  of which approximately 5,500 were represented by labor  unions, principally the United Food and Commercial Workers’  Union. A significant increase in labor costs or a deterioration of  labor relations at any of the Company’s facilities or contracted  hog processing facilities that results in work slowdowns or  stoppages could harm the Company’s financial results. Union  contracts at the Company’s facilities in Algona, Iowa; Atlanta,  Georgia; Austin, Minnesota; Beloit, Wisconsin; Fremont,  Nebraska; and Vernon, California will expire during fiscal 2015,  covering a combined total of approximately 3,400 employees.  Negotiations at these facilities have not yet been initiated. The Company’s foreign operations pose additional risks to  the Company’s business.  The Company operates its business  and markets its products internationally. The Company’s  foreign operations are subject to the risks described above,  as well as risks related to fluctuations in currency values,  foreign currency exchange controls, compliance with foreign  laws, compliance with applicable U.S. laws, including the  Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other economic or political  uncertainties. International sales are subject to risks related  to general economic conditions, imposition of tariffs, quotas,  trade barriers and other restrictions, enforcement of reme- dies in foreign jurisdictions and compliance with applicable  foreign laws, and other economic and political uncertainties.  All of these risks could result in increased costs or decreased  revenues, which could adversely affect the Company’s finan- cial results. local environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the  discharge of materials into the environment and the handling  and disposition of wastes (including solid and hazardous  wastes) or otherwise relating to protection of the environment.  Compliance with these laws and regulations, and the ability to  comply with any modifications to these laws and regulations,  is material to the Company’s business. New matters or sites  may be identified in the future that will require additional  investigation, assessment, or expenditures. In addition, some  of the Company’s facilities have been in operation for many  years and, over time, the Company and other prior operators  of these facilities may have generated and disposed of wastes  that now may be considered hazardous. Future discovery of  contamination of property underlying or in the vicinity of the  Company’s present or former properties or manufacturing  facilities and/or waste disposal sites could require the  Company to incur additional expenses. The occurrence of any  of these events, the implementation of new laws and regula- tions, or stricter interpretation of existing laws or regulations  could adversely affect the Company’s financial results. 29