10-K 1 v333587_10k.htm FORM 10-K

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

x ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

OR

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission file number: 000-31385

 

GLOBAL FOOD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Name of small business issuer in its charter)

 

DELAWARE   52-2257546
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
802 N Douty St, Hanford  CA   93230
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

558-589-0100

(Issuer’s telephone number)

 

113 Court Street, Hanford, California 93230

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

¨ Yes          No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes       ¨ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes  x     No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨ Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer    ¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  ¨ Yes x No

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last day business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2012) was $21,519,209.

 

At December 31, 2012, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, was 32,810,851.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.

 

 
 

 

GLOBAL FOOD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

INDEX TO

ANNUAL REPORT FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012

 

Item       Page
Number   Description   Number
         
    PART I    
         
1   Business   3
1A   Risk Factors   20
1B   Unresolved Staff Comments   21
2   Properties   22
3   Legal Proceedings   22
4   Mine Safety Disclosures   22
         
    PART II    
         
5   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities   22
6   Selected Financial Data   24
7   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   24
7A   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   32
8   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data   32
9   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   32
9A   Controls and Procedures   33
9B   Other Information   34
         
    PART III    
         
10   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance   34
11   Executive Compensation   39
12   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters   41
13   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence   43
14   Principal Accountant Fees and Services   44
         
    PART IV    
         
15   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules   46
         
    Signatures   48

 

2
 

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

Business of the Company

 

Overview

 

Global Food Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (“GFT”, “we”, “our” or the “Company”) is a life sciences company focusing on (1) the commercialization of food safety applications for our proprietary scientific food processing technologies, which are currently focused on increasing the quality and value of commercially packaged seafood (and may later expand to poultry and other meats), substantially extending their shelf-life and making these products safer for human consumption by reducing disease-causing bacteria; (2) our iPura® Food Safety and Quality Assurance Service Program (“The iPura® Program”), which is a comprehensive food safety and quality assurance program focused on the execution of extraordinary food safety measures at the source of food production to increase the safety and quality of the food; (3) the promotion and sales of food products that have been treated under the iPura® Program and bear our iPura® consumer food safety seal; and (4) licensing of the iPura seal.

 

The iPura Program represents the commercialization of our technologies and on-site food safety and quality service program. iPura is represented in the marketplace as a stand-alone retail brand and as a private label brand manufacturer. Both are backed by our iPura Program and its related technologies and systems. The centerpiece of the iPura Program is microbial intervention technologies (non-thermal) and system hardware, installed in the processing facility to apply an “organic clean step” prior to packaging. There is no use of heat, high pressure, irradiation, chlorine, or other harmful chemicals. The result is cleaner, safer seafood.

 

The iPura seal is a guarantee that the food has been packaged by our on-site team as part of The iPura Program, which assures a hands-on, continuous role in the product’s safety, quality and delivery. We employ full-time food safety and quality assurance supervisors including a microbiologist at each site. We don’t own the farms or processing facilities but we initiate cleaner food at the source by contracting with the best of the best in raw materials and processing plants and then we raise the bar by going on-site with our people, our technologies, and our equipment to conduct a clean step prior to packaging. After our organic clean step, we affix our iPura seal on the individually vacuum packed fish fillets to communicate to consumers the valued added safety and quality assurance precautions that were taken to protect their health and well being. iPura seafood products make a commitment to sustainability of the oceans as iPura is involved in responsible aquaculture, which helps ease the pressure on ocean stocks.

 

Currently, we are an early stage revenue producing company. We have made sales of iPura labeled products to food distributors and directly to retailers in the U.S. markets. One of our customers, Safeway, Inc., is one of the largest retailers in America. In addition to sales of iPura labeled food products, it is our objective to win contracts for private label brand manufacturing to protect the private labels of large retailers in America. Those private label contracts involve long sales cycles and discussions with retailers continue but are sometimes constrained by current capacity and inventory financing limitations.

 

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In November 2012, Safeway began promotion of iPura tilapia in the service case of Safeway stores in the Northern California division and the Vons stores in Southern California. This co-branding project includes the use of the iPura® logo and slogan “Safety Quality Sustainability” on the individual fillet packaging, promotional “ice cards” in the service case (fresh case) identifying the attributes of Safeway brand’s iPura® Tilapia, and customer take home cards displayed in the seafood department that communicate the role that iPura® plays in providing cleaner and safer food. The back of the cards contain a Safeway tilapia recipe.

 

Co-branding the iPura® seal on Safeway products and point of purchase materials provides a strong validation point to Safeway’s customers that Safeway took exemplary precautionary measures through iPura® to safeguard their customer’s health and natural resource sustainability. This type of leadership by a market leader is important for a new and revolutionary program to gain acceptance and to motivate others to follow.

 

We are pricing these co-branding orders according to iPura’s transparent “cost-plus” revenue model. This model provides full transparency which allows our customer to see a detailed breakdown of costs and profits so they know what they are paying for and how much each component costs. Safeway and iPura® have agreed on what we consider to be a fair and reasonable gross profit margin for iPura.

 

In a well publicized seafood sustainability report published by Greenpeace in 2011 titled “Carting Away Our Oceans,” Safeway scored higher than every retailer in North America. During the 3rd Quarter, 2011, Safeway directed Fishwise (a seafood consultant non-government organization or NGO based in Santa Cruz, California. contracted by Safeway as part of a sustainability initiative) to conduct an on-site assessment of iPura® tilapia sources and to issue a sustainability report. The resulting 12 page sustainability assessment concluded that iPura® sources are sustainable and good sources of product for iPura and Safeway.

 

The food industry is recognized globally for its successful private brands and innovative approach to retailing, which is why Safeway is our top choice of retailers to showcase the iPura® value on a large stage. This leadership should accelerate decisions by other major food retailers and distributors to move forward with iPura® to protect their brands and demonstrate to their customers a commitment to safety, quality and sustainability. If we are able to successfully expand our current relationship with Safeway on a nationwide basis, we anticipate replicating the Safeway co-branding sales in many large supermarket chains that own private brands.

 

We expect to convince other large retailers to exclusively source iPura® labeled products to protect their own brands and take credit for their efforts by promoting the iPura® logo next to their names on their product packaging with the iPura® seal also displayed on the individually wrapped fillets inside the package (“iPura® inside”). This will communicate to customers that the retailer it is doing everything possible to improve food safety, food quality and sustainability of natural resources. Our value proposition to retailers is that sourcing iPura® products will allow the retailer to increase control & trust of foreign suppliers, protect their brand and company image, and increase sales with repeat purchases due to superior products. Our private label program is a cost plus price model, with iPura earning a gross profit per pound with full transparency on cost of raw materials, the iPura® Program, logistics and a gross profit for iPura®. In this model, the retailer knows exactly what they are paying for. The Company believes that the expected growth is manageable because the operational units are modular, the iPura® Program is repeatable and the business is scalable.

 

4
 

 

In the 3rd quarter 2011, we introduced the iPura® Tilapia retail branded two pound bags with Food4less, an independent grocery chain in central California. Sales are made on a cost plus basis. We anticipate sales of the iPura® retail brand to other supermarket chains and independents that do not own their brands. The iPura® retail brand is an upgrade to their service case and frozen seafood section products. In the future we expect to follow Tilapia with SWAI, Catfish, Salmon and Shrimp, all produced under the iPura® label.

 

We spent $673,438 and $897,754 on continued research and development during the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Our iPura® Seafood Processing System and iPura® Program have been commercialized and are now operational. Our other technologies for other food products remain in various stages of research and development. Our shrimp processing system prototype system was built and successfully tested. We outsourced the commercial manufacturing of our new shrimp machine and received the system in our R&D facility in December 2012. We are now in the final stages of throughput testing. We anticipate acceptance testing in the third quarter of 2013.

 

Our business plans described in this Annual Report remain subject to modification from time to time at the discretion of management and are further subject to various risks and uncertainties, some of which are described in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report.

 

We have focused our development efforts on products based on our technologies and methods designed to significantly reduce the presence of salmonella, campylobacter, and other bacterial pathogens found in processed seafood by treating those products with the food safety technologies and methods under the iPura® Program. We believe that using our proprietary, low-cost technologies designed to sharply reduce the presence of dangerous and often lethal pathogens in seafood and significantly increase the shelf-life and commercial value of these products, we could create a new paradigm in food safety. All of our current commercialization efforts are focused on seafood, although the Company anticipates ultimately developing applications for poultry and meat products as well. GFT’s technological solutions can help food processors increase the quality, safety, and economic value of their products by reducing or eliminating the waste and liability associated with the distribution of contaminated food, and by increasing product shelf life. This could help the distribution chain avoid losses, protect their reputation, gain new customers, avoid losing customers, and increase their profits by meeting consumer demand for cleaner and safer food. Our iPura™ seal is a tool that communicates to consumers that extraordinary measures went into the food safety practices in an effort to reduce their chances of contacting a foodborne illness due to pathogenic contamination.

 

Through on-site surveys at processing facilities in North America, South America, Asia, and Europe, GFT management has determined that a non-thermal pathogenic “kill step” prior to packaging is missing in the seafood industry. This is the opportunity for GFT’s technology. GFT has invented the “kill step” that management believes is absent in seafood processing. GFT developed the iPura® Seafood System (“The iPura® System”) by commercializing its proprietary technology platform and its “kill-step” process which capitalize on GFT’s expertise in cellular biology and a method combining low pressure, water, flow rate, distance, speed, dwell time and an environmentally friendly organic antimicrobial solution to mitigate disease causing bacteria (pathogens) and other spoilage organisms, without affecting the texture, color, taste, or nutritional value of the product.

 

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GFT provides the technology, the equipment and personnel for the pathogenic “kill step”, as part of an on-site food safety service. GFT systems are installed in food processors’ facilities at the end of the processing line. The iPura® System is comprised of large stainless steel spray systems with associated subsystems, operated with a controlled environment. The “kill step” is performed by GFT personnel operating the iPura® System, immediately prior to packaging. After the sanitization, GFT places its “iPura®” logo (seal) on the package. The seal serves to identify food products that have a higher level of safety and quality.

 

The iPura® Program embodies extraordinary precautions and world-class food safety measures for the seafood industry by uniting green technologies and our comprehensive proprietary iPura® delivery systems with a comprehensive daily regimen at the source of production – in food processing facilities. The iPura® daily on-site food safety team includes microbiologists, system operators, technicians, and quality control personnel. We believe that our green technologies, proprietary delivery systems and “boots on the ground” strategy will give iPura competitive advantages with its vertically integrated controls for food safety.

 

Further strengthening the iPura® Program, non-proprietary yet beneficial technologies are incorporated adding critical elements such as time temperature monitoring during the transportation cold chain and full traceability via a web-based portal allowing for identification of the source of raw materials and following the details of that product throughout its journey from farm to fork.

 

Time temperature indicators (TTI’s) are incorporated into each shipment of product. These small tabs, when activated, take a physical temperature reading at intervals of every five minutes l for a period of 60 days. Loaded into the shipping container in various coordinate locations to create a full temperature profile of the product in the container at the production site while the product is stocked, these monitor the temperature and handling conditions of the product on its journey from the production site, to the ports, as ocean freight, and finally into domestic warehousing. The TTI’s are retrieved from the warehouse and sent to corporate offices where data is retrieved in a plotted Excel spreadsheet fashion to validate safe handling and transportation of iPura products.

 

Traceability is now recognized as an important issue in the food industry and is becoming further required in greater detail by the supply chain.. The ability to identify the source of any consumed food product is critical for risk mitigation and corrective actions. Web-based commercial traceability portal systems, such as TraceRegister used in the iPura program, allow for real time input of information from each production batch and lot as it is retrieved from a pond or fishery and follows the journey of the product as it reaches the consumers. Identification of all individuals in the food handling chain from farm to fork develops accountability reinforcing responsibility in creating a safe food supply.

 

6
 

 

Commercialization

 

We have identified four price-per-pound revenue models. In each model, GFT will provide the daily on-site service to maintain control of The Highest Standard in Food Safety.

 

A. Service and Sales – Under this model, GFT is currently acting as the exclusive importer of iPura®-labeled products through its wholly-owned subsidiary, iPura Food Distribution Company (“IFD”). GFT carries out the service, sales, marketing and management, while IFD manages the logistics. We believe that this “importer” model will (1) provide the opportunity for GFT to exercise varying degrees of control over the early supply, marketing, distribution and price-per-pound of iPura-labeled products; (2) provide GFT the opportunity to capture reasonable and customary gross profit margins commonly earned by importers; (3) provide GFT the opportunity to command and capture a premium price for iPura-labeled product through negotiated sales in the marketplace; (4) provide GFT the opportunity to increase demand for iPura-labeled product both domestically and internationally; and, (5) provide GFT the opportunity to negotiate private label brand manufacturing contracts to protect the private labels of large food retailers with iPura treated food products. This service and sales model requires significant additional capital and/or commercial financing for inventory, and will also subject GFT to any risk of loss for unsold inventory or spoilage.

 

B. Private Label Brand Manufacturing - Under this model, GFT approaches large retailers, such as Kroger and Wal-Mart, to act as their private label brand manufacturer and importer of iPura-labeled products which are produced to the customer’s specifications and packaged under the customer’s label. It is the intention of management to convince the customer to display the iPura seal on the packaging along with their brand name (as discussed earlier). GFT has proposed a cost plus model to eliminate price negotiations due to market fluctuations. The final price of the product to the retailer is the sum of (1) cost of raw materials and processing; (2) costs of executing the iPura Program on-site; (3) cost of storage and transportation logistics; and, (4) a gross profit for GFT / IFD based on a licensing fee per pound. Under this model, we may have to extend payment and credit terms to the private label customers, and therefore, this model also requires additional capital to finance inventory and related costs until payment is received from customers.

 

C. Service and Licensing – Under this proposed model, GFT would bill a price-per-pound charge to the food processor for (1) the daily on-site iPura food safety service and (2) the right, under license, to affix the iPura seal on a package containing product processed through the iPura system. This model provides GFT with lower required capital costs and avoids the need for us to arrange inventory financing. Thus, this model is designed to produce faster and greater scalability, although it precludes GFT from earning potentially higher gross margins from the premium that we believe iPura branded products may be able to command in the marketplace. GFT may use this model in circumstances where growth in processing volume exceeds our ability to finance and manage inventory, especially if regional licensees are contracted (as discussed below). We do not currently have any contracts based on this model.

 

D. Regional License – Management believes that if GFT is successful in executing the business models discussed above, it could create demand for a fourth revenue model that would envision the licensing of strategic “partners” to support the expansion of iPura in large international consumer markets such as China, Japan, and Europe. If we implement such regional licenses of our iPura technology and programs, the licensees could then utilize our technology on a regional basis through either of the revenue models discussed above. Utilizing regional licenses could accelerate growth and allow us to increase brand awareness and market share, as well as reduce the capital resources required by GFT to implement such expansions. GFT could implement such regional licenses based on a royalty fee, or pursuant to a joint-venture model with such third-party licensees.

 

7
 

 

GFT initially entered the market utilizing the “importer” model, as described in “A” above. Based on our initial market research and experience, we believe that this model may provide superior margins. The “importer” model allows GFT to prove our business model to seafood processors, as we will be responsible for generating consumer interest and demand for our products, re-selling the iPura processed seafood products, and negotiating pricing and margins with retailers and distributors. Model “B” has been used to private label and co-branding with Safeway, the second largest grocery chain in North America. GFT anticipates utilizing each model to maximize revenue, based on market conditions and the availability of capital.

 

We are proceeding to validate our iPura® brand and business models through sales in the U.S. markets. Thereafter, GFT intends to pursue the opportunity to create growth by adding more food products and by licensing strategic partners to distribute iPura®-labeled products internationally, thereby creating additional streams of recurring revenue. GFT has previously explored finding a strategic partner with experience in and pathways to the food sector in China, where the middle class has over 100 million consumers and continues growing. Studies indicate the Chinese middle class are as concerned with food safety as consumers in the U.S., Japan and the European Union. Licensing agreements can support substantially increased and faster growth, since they allow sales and marketing to be carried out on the infrastructures of allied partners or licensees. We believe that there will be other opportunities and potential strategic alliances in Europe, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries, and we are beginning market research in consumer markets in Brazil and India as well. However, these are long term goals and we do not expect any revenue to be derived from licenses or slaes in China or any other international markets within the next 12 months.

 

The Problems We Address

 

Global production of seafood, meat and poultry products is approaching 1 trillion pounds per year. A safe food supply is vital to human health and to world economies. Too often food products carry disease-causing bacteria before harvest. If ineffectively processed or packaged, the bacteria in the product can rapidly multiply to dangerous levels.

 

When contaminated products reach the market, consumer safety, company brand, consumer trust and market share are at stake. Maintaining brand integrity requires the use of the best available technologies and practices. Food safety is not only a top concern in the food distribution chain, it is an underexploited profit center. We believe that this provides the opportunity for our iPura® technologies, services and food safety label. Our technologies and food safety strategies are designed to mitigate this critical and urgent worldwide problem.

 

It is widely known that contamination from bacteria in raw food processing and packaging is a major cause of worldwide food waste (spoilage) before consumption, as well as food poisoning after consumption. Our technologies and proposed products and services are focused on reducing the incidence of food poisoning due to ingesting salmonella, campylobacter, and other bacteria often present in seafood, poultry and other meats, either naturally or through contamination, while processing and packaging these foods for commercial consumption. These disease-causing bacteria, or pathogens, can remain in processed food and be eaten by consumers, causing frequently serious illness, and sometimes death.

 

8
 

 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in six Americans is stricken with some form of food poisoning each year.  These 48 million food poisoning cases result in more than 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths in America annually. In terms of medical costs and productivity losses, food-borne illnesses associated with seven major pathogens cost the nation between $7 billion and $37 billion annually, according to USDA’s estimates (See: Food Safety: Overview of Federal and State Expenditures, U.S. General Accounting Office, GAO-01-077, February 2001, available at www.gao.gov/new.items/d01177.pdf).

 

We believe that the food processing industry has a critical need for a pathogen-elimination step prior to final packaging. Making seafood (with future potential expansion to poultry and other meats) safer for human consumption, while at the same time improving the quality and substantially extending shelf-life when being marketed to consumers, is the objective of the iPura® Program. Promoting the iPura® Program and growing sales of the iPura® Brand and our Private Label business is the primary objective of the Company.

 

Government, university, and private studies have indicated that consumers are very concerned about food safety. Michigan State University’s Food Safety Policy Center in a national survey (April 2006) found that 96% of respondents stated that seals should contain food safety information and that 84% of consumers polled are willing to pay a food safety premium for a reduction in their chances of becoming ill due to food contamination. Michigan State University Food Safety Policy Center, United States National Survey on Consumer Perception of Food Safety; http://www.fspc.msu.edu/.

 

The January 2007 issue of Consumer Reports stated that pathogenic contamination was found on 83% of the poultry they sampled from U.S. retail grocers. The report stated that chickens sealed as organic or raised without antibiotics and costing $3 to $5 per pound were more likely to harbor salmonella than were conventionally produced broilers that cost approximately $1 per pound and that no major seal fared better than others overall. Foster Farms, Pilgrim’s Pride, and Tyson chickens were lower in salmonella incidence than Perdue, but they were higher in campylobacter. This Consumers Report issue also stated, “Our tests show the current practices aren’t enough” and, “when contaminated chickens arrive at supermarkets, problems can multiply. Just one slip-up in storage, handling, or cooking, and you’re at risk”.

 

Distributing defective food can irreparably harm a company’s reputation and bottom line. iPura adds value by satisfying consumer demand for cleaner and safer sustainable seafood. With iPura sealed products, we believe that companies can safeguard public health, protect their brand image, extend product shelf-life, reduce spoilage, mitigate liabilities and increase sales. We believe that iPura® will be at the top of the class for customers who want the best product and a validation point that demonstrates they are sourcing the highest standards in food safety and food quality and acting responsibly to sustain the natural resources of the oceans and planet.

 

9
 

 

Our Products and Services

 

The FDA has reported that up to 85% of the seafood consumed in America comes from overseas. In launching our technology commercially, we have concentrated first on developing products for use by foreign seafood processors, where management believes the danger is highest, thus giving us the greatest likelihood of market acceptance by processors, grocers and consumers. The overall strategy begins with initiating cleaner food at the source through use of the iPura® system and iPura® food safety program.

 

The iPura® program builds in controls from the start that are designed to combat foodborne hazards and prevent contaminants from entering the food supply. iPura® integrates patented and patent pending technologies with a varied combination of organic antimicrobial agents and proprietary delivery systems that perform non-thermal microbial interventions (or “organic clean-steps” or “kill steps”) prior to packaging, with additional safety and quality controls throughout the distribution chain.

 

Under our on-site iPura® Food Safety Program we are providing the technology, equipment and personnel for the pathogenic “kill step”, as part of the on-site food safety service. The iPura® system is installed in the food processor’s facilities at the end of the processing line and is a large stainless steel antimicrobial delivery system comprised of spray systems with associated HMI (Human Machine Interface), PLC (Programmable Logic Controls), pneumatics, fill/mix systems, and conveyance apparatuses, all operated inside a controlled environment. Our methods add one additional but critical step in the processing lines already in place in virtually every seafood and poultry processing facility. This new “kill step” is performed by GFT personnel, using our iPura® delivery systems, immediately prior to packaging. After the sanitization, GFT places its iPura® seal on the package. Our on-site team of quality assurance (QA) personnel, including a microbiologist, use state of the art laboratory equipment with rapid testing techniques to validate sanitation of the processing environment as well as the finished product.

 

Our proprietary technologies are designed to reduce the instances of food-borne illnesses that claim thousands of lives and cost businesses billions of dollars in losses internationally every year. Our pathogen reduction and elimination technology platform integrates traditional food handling and processing with cellular biology, creating what we believe will be a new paradigm for the food safety industry.

 

Our pathogen-elimination “kill step” process is designed to help food processors increase the quality, safety, and economic value of their products by eliminating the waste, rejection, recall and liability associated with distributing contaminated food products. This can provide substantial public health and economic benefits to food processors, food distributors, grocers, restaurants, and other food service companies, and, ultimately, governments and consumers.

 

We believe that the iPura® Food Safety Program will help the food chain grow their margins by increasing the quality, safety, and economic value of their products by reducing or eliminating the waste and liability associated with the distribution of contaminated food, and by increasing shelf life.

 

10
 

 

iPura® labeled products carry a unique food regulatory intervention insurance, not currently available in the marketplace. Marine Management Insurance Brokers, Inc. (“MMIB”), a leader in providing specialized insurance products and risk management services to the international trade of seafood, has investigated the efficacy of the iPura® System and iPura® Food Safety Program. As a result of MMIB’s involvement, iPura labeled product is insured against regulatory intervention and product recall throughout the distribution chain. The iPuraTM processor and their downstream customers are relieved of the significant losses and disruption of trade that results from food safety violations. This provides the market with an unprecedented level of security and provides international credibility for the iPura® seal. Mr. Curtis Keyes, the CEO and founder of MMIB, also serves on our Advisory Board.

 

We have established, and successfully registered the iPura® trade mark to identify products processed by the iPura® Seafood Processing System. The registrations for the iPura mark have issued in the United States, Chile, the EU, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, China (PRC) and India.  The iPura® trade mark applications remain pending in Brazil and Canada.

 

The iPura® seal is a guarantee that Global Food Technologies’ personnel provided continuous daily on-site food safety services at the seafood processor’s facility. It is the expectation of management that buyers will recognize iPura® as the world’s first food safety seal backed by insurance throughout the distribution chain against regulatory rejection and product recall, and we believe consumers will ultimately recognize the seal as a mark of excellence signifying the iPura® slogans “The Highest Standard in Food Safety” and “Cleaner, Safer Food” and “Safety Quality Sustainability”.

 

Our management believes that consumers are willing to pay a premium for value added food safety, and we believe that we can create additional demand for our products by educating buyers about the benefits of food products bearing the iPura® seal. Currently, we are advertising on a limited basis in industry publications, along with limited consumer point-of-sale marketing and social media marketing. See “Distribution and Marketing Plan” below for additional information about our marketing.

 

To date, we have tested our technology primarily on seafood products, including actual seafood product supplied to our customers. Application of our technology to poultry and other foods will require significant additional research and development. Internal testing has demonstrated that our system is effective against bacterial pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, such as salmonella, campylobacter and E. coli. However, our technology is not designed or intended to, and does not have, any effect on viral or genetically transmitted diseases, such as “mad cow disease” or avian flu, and we have no present intent to expand our science into that area. Our management has studied food safety issues extensively, and believes that the largest numbers of deaths resulting from food-borne illnesses are attributable to bacterial pathogens, and we are committed to focusing on the food safety issues associated with those specific illnesses, at least for the near future.

 

Benefits of our technology over other technologies include the following:

 

·our “kill step” method does not affect the size, weight, texture, taste, smell, appearance or nutritional value of the seafood products treated by it;
·our systems are scalable to suit the output level of each individual processor;
·installation can be made at little upfront cost to the seafood processor, if they adopt our model where we charge service and licensing fees based on volume; and

 

11
 

 

·our method is clean, safe to use, and environmentally friendly, because it does not rely on caustic chemicals or radiation to eliminate pathogens and spoilage organisms in the treatment process.

 

iPura® Value Points

 

The iPura Program integrates cutting-edge technologies to mitigate dangerous pathogens and contaminants that too frequently compromise seafood products during the processing and packaging stages.

 

Safety controls prior to packaging:

 

·Patented “organic clean step” or “kill step”
·Turn-key industrial hardware
·On-site food safety and quality assurance team
·Multiple interventions to combat foodborne hazards
·On-site microbiologist for continual testing against foodborne hazards
·Packaging within a controlled environment
·Independent third party certification
·Chlorine free

 

Safety controls in the distribution chain:

·Temperature monitoring
·Protection against cross contamination
·Traceability
·Security authentication against counterfeiting
·Insurance against regulatory rejection and product recall

 

Benefits to the Food Distribution Chain

 

·Protects public health
·Protects brand names and company image
·Protects against product rejection
·Protects against product recall
·Reduces product liability
·Reduces product waste
·Promotes extended shelf-life
·Provides seamless traceability
·Increases profitability

 

While our current research and development efforts have been focused almost exclusively on the seafood markets, subject to the availability of sufficient resources, we intend to commence scientific research activities on applying our technology to new organic antimicrobial agents as well as research on other meat products, including poultry and pork. Due to resource limitations, we currently have only limited research and development ongoing at this time.

 

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Distribution and Marketing Plan

 

Management believes that it is commercially feasible to create recurring revenue streams through service, sales, and licensing to capitalize on the potential of our proprietary technologies, market opportunities and human resources. We have identified four price-per-pound revenue models and in each model, GFT will provide the daily on-site service to maintain control of The Highest Standard in Food Safety and Quality. The models are discussed in detail above, in the “Overview” section.

 

We are proceeding to validate iPura® with sales in the U.S. markets through the “importer model” and “private label brand manufacturer model” (co-branding). This has allowed the iPura® brand to gain a limited amount of market recognition that management believes will lead to important private label brand manufacturing sales. After the private label business has gained traction, GFT intends to pursue the opportunity to create growth by adding more food products and by licensing strategic partners to distribute iPura®-labeled products internationally, thereby creating additional streams of recurring revenue. We do not have any plans to enter into international licenses within the next 12 months, s we believe our success in branding iPura®-labeled products in the U.S. will be a prerequisite for any licenses or market entry into other countries.

Market entry begins with the most popular aquaculture products: tilapia, striped pangasius (swai), catfish, salmon, and shrimp. Farmed tilapia and swai are available now, guaranteed to have been processed with the iPura® food safety and quality interventions and daily oversight described below:

 

1.iPura® on-site food safety and quality assurance team
2.Chlorine free “organic clean step”
3.Proprietary delivery systems IP
4.Continual testing against foodborne hazards
5.Protection against cross contamination (IVP)
6.Temperature monitoring (TTI)
7.Traceability (TraceRegister)
8.Security authentication against counterfeiting & fraud
9.Product insurance throughout the distribution chain
10.Independent third-party certification (GFSI benchmarked schemes)

 

The iPura marketing materials that target large distributors and retailers make a point that iPura® promotes their brand by differentiating their product from all others in the marketplace. The materials point out that iPura® addresses brand protection and critical food safety and quality assurance issues at a level unmatched in the industry. The centerpiece of the iPura® Food Safety and Quality Assurance Program are microbial intervention technologies (non-thermal) and system hardware, installed in the processing facility to incorporate an “organic clean step” prior to packaging. There is no use of heat, high pressure, irradiation, chlorine, or other harmful chemicals. The marketing materials indicate that the result is cleaner, safer and better tasting seafood. They further explain that iPura® contracts with premier aquaculture producers to assure a high quality product starting-point for raw materials. Our supply and processing partners contribute with committed ownership and management, independent certification and large state-of-the-art facilities. iPura® supplies the technology including our proprietary on-site equipment and antimicrobial agents that are FDA-approved and on the USDA organic registry. Inside the plant, our technicians execute the iPura® microbial kill-step interventions prior to packaging. Our on-site microbiologists validate product and conduct environmental monitoring periodically throughout the production day. Marketing materials also point out that today’s consumers expect a higher degree of food safety and most believe that not enough is being done to protect their health. The iPura® seal represents the highest standards in food safety, quality, and sustainability.

 

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iPura markets a compelling case as best in class for retailers who actively pursue superior products. The iPura® label provides a validation point that demonstrates that the retailer is sourcing the highest standards in food safety and food quality, and acting responsibly to sustain the natural resources of the planet. A private label agreement could provide the retailer or large distributor with continuous benefits:

 

1.Protection of brand & company image
2.Control & trust of foreign suppliers
3.Increase repeat purchases with superior products
4.Pricing based on a cost plus model – with full transparency
5.Continuity of supply
6.Consumer communication label: food safety, quality and sustainability
7.Sales support & advertisement

 

A critical aspect of our business model is to promote our technology and the iPura™ seal in the United States. We are in the process of educating large grocery chains, distributors, restaurants, and consumers about the risks of food-borne pathogens in seafood, and the health and economic benefits that our technologies can produce. Beginning in the 4th quarter of 2008, iPura has been advertised in various industry publications in an effort to reach the seafood buyers and influencers. These publications include: Seafood Business, Seafood International, Intrafish, GAA Magazine, Progressive Grocer, Chef and Food Safety Magazine.

 

One of the most important direct marketing opportunities of the year is presented at the International Boston Seafood Show, held in March of each year. iPura has continually had a significant presence, supported by brochures and members of our sales and marketing team. Meetings have been held with top executives from our target prospect list as well as interviews with media to promote the iPura® brand and private label business. Management believes acceptance of major retailers of iPura® to protect their brand, there will be a dramatic increase of authored articles that discuss the prudence of iPura® on-site food safety and quality services and it will create a spike in publicity that will propel the Company’s sales. We believe that this direct approach to large distributors and retailers, combined with media coverage and a limited amount of consumer marketing will result in sales growth that fulfills company objectives.

 

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The Company is using various aspects of Social Media to publicize iPura® within industry and directly to consumers. Management has developed and implemented a comprehensive Social Media (SM) campaign focused primarily on the following core tools: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Blogger.  Secondary channels such as Digg, FourSquare and a handful of others have been registered and used sparingly to date, allowing management to concentrate its efforts on the core set of sites most frequented by the iPura® targeted audience.  Each of the channels has inherent strengths and limitations that have been identified and used to formulate a strategy that is consistent, coherent and effective.  The creation of awareness, respect and desire that result in sales of iPura® product is the sole motivator behind the SM campaign.

 

Social Media tools grant individual companies unprecedented power, flexibility and options.  Traditional Public Relations and Marketing still apply, and those campaigns gain additional traction and mileage when integrated into iPura's Social Media channels.  All campaigns by iPura originating in print media, television, radio or the internet are or will be promoted on each SM feed in concert with their timing and objectives.  Additionally, SM campaigns may stand alone and be tailored to the particular strengths of an individual SM site, and deliver measurable results.  Lead generation, prospect list building, competition monitoring, customer relations, brand messaging, loyalty building, research, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), public relations, B2B/B2C sales and marketing are the key benefits derived by Management's deliberate approach.

 

We believe our marketing program achieves the following benefits:

 

·  The science and marketing connect well with world food safety issues.

·  The iPura® label is a tool which communicates that exceptional food safety measures have been taken to protect consumer health.

·  The label serves to identify food products that have a higher level of safety and quality.

·  GFT has filed trade marks for its brand and slogan in every major food producing and food consuming nation.

·  Trademarks are listed on the primary registry at the USPTO and internationally.

 

Currently, most of our retail sales, such as at grocery stores, are made to customers without any prominent iPura™ branding. We hope to improve point-of-sale branding, as well as increase industry and consumer awareness of the iPura™ brand as resources permit. Due to the high costs associated with creating and marketing a brand to consumers, during the next 12 months, we will continue with only very limited marketing to consumers, as well as continuing marketing efforts to processors and industry associations to create awareness of our iPura™ brand. Ultimately, we believe our ability to generate sufficient sales and adequate premiums for iPura™ products will depend upon our ability to successfully market our brand to consumers in the U.S.

 

To promote the iPura® seal to consumers in a cost-effective manner, our contract with Global Media Fund, LLC, described in previous reports, will be a component of our consumer-based marketing plan. Their operating company, News USA, places articles describing applications of the iPura® seal and technology in various newspapers throughout the U.S. Each placement is unique in distribution and consumer draw. This programmore widespread distribution of the iPura®

 

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Processor and Production Agreements

 

We now have two iPura systems installed under installation and supplier agreements with two separate processors, both in China. The first Chinese processor has been producing tilapia fillets since 2009 as our historical source of product. The second processor in China has begun production and will also be producing tilapia to fulfill expected orders from Safeway. A third system is on standby in Vietnam awaiting installation in a SWAI processor in Vietnam scheduled to begin production of pangasius/swai (a catfish) in the second quarter of 2013.

 

A fourth system has not been allocated to a production goal and will be installed as needed. Management is reviewing its options in Chile as well as Alaska for salmon and trout production, and in the U.S. for Catfish production. As described above, we are in the final phases of testing our technology for shrimp processing, although we will not begin negotiations with any potential shrimp processors or retailers until we have successfully concluded such testing.

 

All of the current agreements are structured pursuant to our “importer” model and “private label brand manufacturer” model (models “A” and “B”as described in Part I, Item 1 “Business”), with our wholly-owned subsidiary, iPura Food Distribution Company (IFD) responsible for ordering and purchasing the seafood from the processors, and then importing and distributing the seafood products to retailers or other distributors. IFD has also signed agreements with the processors outlining the exclusive purchase terms. Under these agreements, GFT is generally responsible for the cost of manufacturing, fabricating and installing the iPura™ System at the processors’ facilities, with the processors providing power and utility connections and certain other operating expenses.

 

Under these agreements, our iPura® System is installed in the processing line at the processors’ facilities. Our iPura® System is operated and supervised by GFT personnel, at GFT’s expense. Seafood processed through our iPura® System is then packaged and labeled with our iPura® seal. IFD has the exclusive rights to buy and distribute the seafood processed with our iPura®™ System and the processors therefore cannot sell such seafood to any other customers or distributors, or otherwise use our iPura® System for any other seafood processing. The agreements have terms that range from one to three years from the date of completion of the installation of our iPura® System at the respective processor’s facility. IFD has obtained most favored nations pricing with respect to seafood purchased under all of the agreements. None of the agreements have any minimum purchase requirements for IFD.

 

The following is a discussion of existing production of iPura® labeled products:

 

China

 

In early 2009, the first iPura® system became operational in Tongwei (Hainan) Aquatic Products Co., a major seafood processing facility in the PRC. Our first commercial product was iPura® labeled tilapia and this product has been sold in the U.S. under the “importer model” described earlier. All production to date has been produced by a single iPura® system with a second system on-site as standby for the anticipated growth. Management anticipates further contracting and operations throughout 2013 and beyond. China is important because it is the world’s largest producer and exporter of seafood products, including tilapia.

 

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A second Tilapia site was recommended by our customer Safeway. During the 4th quarter of 2012, an iPura® system was installed in Evergreen Aquatic, a vertically integrated tilapia producer located in Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China. The system is now operational and is producing tilapia fillets for Safeway’s service case and is ready to produce two pound private label bags upon orders from Safeway..

 

The operation and production of tilapia from two factories allows GFT to diversify the source and price to accommodate our cost plus pricing model.

 

Vietnam

 

In 2009 an iPura® system was installed in Binh An Seafood Joint Stock Company, a large pangasius (swai) producer in Vietnam and trained an iPura on-site food safety and quality assurance team. However, during operational startup and testing it was determined that microbial contamination in the processing area and on raw product did not meet iPura® requirements and an extended study was conducted by the iPura on-site team. As such, it was determineddetermined to remove the iPura System with related subsystems as well as all laboratory equipment.

 

The Bihn An equipment has been relocated to Cantho Import-Export Seafood Joint Stock Company (Caseamex) under contract as of December 2012 and is awaiting installation. Caseamex is also a producer of swai.

 

GFT identified Vietnam as a prime target market for its pathogen elimination technology. There are a number of contributing factors to the high priority given Vietnam. Some of those contributing factors are:

 

·Seafood is one of the leading export industries in Vietnam.
·The U.S. is a large importer of Vietnamese Swai and Shrimp
·Vietnam has a tremendous need for pathogen elimination systems. They have had a number of import rejections and retentions.
·We believe that Vietnam recognizes the safety and quality issues confronting their industry and desires to improve their seafood quality and global reputation.
·Vietnam is a participant in the World Trade Organization.

 

Management’s current estimate of the date that further installations may be completed is subject to a number of assumptions and variables and is subject to change. In all cases, completion of further installations is subject to GFT obtaining sufficient capital to finance the fabrication of the iPura™ System and installation costs.

 

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Production of iPura® Systems

 

Our commercialization team consisted of seasoned experts with high-level engineering and production experience. They have had success working together as a team while working on several major projects, including NASA’s Galileo project. This team evaluated our last prototype, and then they designed and supervised the manufacture of our new equipment, including the systems and subsystems that were part of the first iPura® system installation in China and Vietnam. GFT’s system is now easy to operate and maintain, and scalable for volume. Subject to receipt of adequate funding, and if required to meet future demand, we plan to sign contracts for the manufacturing of the iPura® systems with experienced commercial suppliers. The main system components and electronic controls (PLC’s) will be manufactured in the United States while the supporting system components such as pumps, mixers, fill systems, conveyors, sprayers, chillers, etc. are industry standard and can be procured locally in the country of installation. Following the successful blueprint of the actual iPura® installations, the integration is handled by GFT personnel with PLC programmers from the United States. GFT employees operate and maintain the systems on-site and handle all the quality control aspects of the process under U.S. supervision. The iPura on-site food safety and quality assurance team consists of a supervisor, microbiologist, system operator, technician and a quality assurance person.

 

Competition

 

Currently, we believe that we face few direct competitors in the field of seafood safety technology, and that no company known to us has technologies that are directly similar to the technologies we are using on seafood. Current products designed to kill pathogens and keep bacteria from reattaching to seafood products have had limited success and include chlorine wash, ozone treatment and irradiation. Our potential competitors include manufacturers of caustic chemicals, poly-films, irradiators and ozonators.

 

Nevertheless, we recognize that growing our proprietary products and services will require significant capital, human resources, and other assets which we may not be able to obtain in a timely fashion, if at all. The entry of large, well-capitalized competitors into the food safety markets, to the extent they can produce products and services which are environmentally friendly, economical and possess some or all of the other attributes that we believe our technology offers, could render our proposed products and services noncompetitive or obsolete. Similarly, we may be unable to keep pace with technological developments or other market factors. Technological competition in the food processing industry by companies, universities, governmental entities and others diversifying into the field of food safety is expected to increase and could become intense. These organizations could have significantly greater research and development capabilities than we do and/or greater marketing, manufacturing, financial and managerial resources. In addition, acquisitions of, or investments in, competing food safety technology companies by large corporations could increase these competitors’ research, financial, marketing, manufacturing and other resources. Potential competitive technologies ultimately may prove to be safer, more effective or less costly than any technologies that we are developing currently or may develop in the future.

 

If we create a successful brand around our iPura® Program, then we believe that we will be offered some protection against the possibility or eventuality of technological competition due to the fact that our technology represents only one part of the iPura® Program. We believe that the iPura® Program, which includes our own on-site food safety and quality team, offers further differentiation that technology alone cannot replace. If successful, we believe that our brand will represent more than just a specific set of technologies, but rather a total commitment to food safety and quality. In addition, with the success and demand for the iPura® brand, GFT may be able in incorporate new technologies (through licensing or acquisition) into the iPura® Program, whether proprietary or developed by our competition.

 

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Government Regulation

 

Our business is subject to federal and state regulations in the United States, as well as those of the foreign jurisdictions in which we may endeavor to sell or produce our products and services (such as Vietnam, and China). In addition to all of the other regulations to which a U.S. business is subject generally (including, among other things, regulations governing employment, occupational safety, business licensing, import-export activities and taxation), some of our future products may be subject to review and approval by the FDA. Since our suppliers have already received FDA approval for the current components of our iPura® Seafood Processing System that come into contact with food, such as the liquid wash, our iPura® Seafood Processing System does not require FDA approval as confirmed in writing to us by the FDA Office of Pre-Market Approval. However, other states or foreign jurisdictions in which our processes are used, or where a product treated with them is exported, may impose further regulations which could be more or less stringent than those imposed by the FDA. We do not believe that any governmental regulations will materially restrict the installation and use of our iPura® Systems in Vietnam, or China and we do not believe that any specific regulatory bodies will require pre-approval of our systems in those countries.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We have been issued three patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that relate to our proprietary technologies. The most recently issued patent relates to certain aspects of our iPura™ Seafood Processing System and the other two relate to technologies for potential use with produce (although we have no current plans to commercialize the patents related to produce). These patents allow us to own and control certain aspects of the science that has resulted in our proposed line of commercial food safety solutions. We filed for patent protection in the U.S. and in 15 foreign countries, and 25 countries in the European Union. We believe that this will result in patent protection in every major seafood and poultry producing and exporting countries. The countries we have selected, along with the United States, represent our management’s determination of the prime target markets for the food safety technologies we are developing.

 

We have established, and successfully registered the iPura™ trade mark to identify products processed by the iPura™ Seafood Processing System. The registrations for the iPura mark have issued for our targeted goods and services in the US, China (PRC), Vietnam, the EU, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Taiwan, Thailand and India. The iPura trademark applications remain pending in Brazil and Canada.

 

GFT owns the rights to the iPura mark for these goods, even though it may actually be the licensees who are selling the processed foods.  The licensees' use of the iPura brand in connection with the processed foods will inure to the benefit of GFT.  

 

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Employees

 

As of December 31, 2012, we had 13 full time employees.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

A description of risk factors is not required for smaller reporting companies. However, we note that a variety of factors could cause our actual results and future experiences to differ materially from management’s anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this Annual Report. The risks and uncertainties that may affect our operations, performance, development and results include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

·whether we will be able obtain additional financing to continue or expand operations and the terms on which we will be able to obtain this financing, if at all;

 

·whether we will be able to charge a premium for our products and generate adequate gross margins on our sales;

 

·our ability to obtain any commercial financing to allow us to purchase seafood inventory for processing in our iPuraSystem, and to obtain such financing in amounts required and on commercially reasonable terms;

 

·our ability to negotiate contracts and purchase orders with distributors and retailers;

 

·risks related to inventory costs, shipping and handling and spoilage;

 

·our ability to obtain one or more third-party manufacturers for our system components and other products;

 

·the cost at which we will be able to have our system components and other products manufactured, if at all, and the time it will take to have our system components and other products manufactured;

 

·our ability to obtain all required components for our systems on a timely basis and at the prices we anticipate;

 

·whether our systems and products are viewed as providing the benefits we claim and whether these benefits are marketable by any customers we may seek to obtain;

 

·our ability to enter into additional contracts with food processors, the time it takes for us to enter into any of these contracts and the licensing or pricing models we are able to implement;

 

·our systems and products performing in the manner we expect in customer applications and without any material modifications;

 

·our ability to obtain all necessary governmental approvals for our systems and other products, including all required import-exporter licenses and permits;

 

·whether the introduction of the iPurabrand will succeed in creating preferences with the consuming public;

 

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·whether we will be able to apply our technology to products other than fish or use our technology in any other fields;

 

·the pace at which we will utilize our existing working capital and whether our existing working capital will be sufficient for us to continue to develop our systems and products to the extent we anticipate;

 

·our ability to protect our intellectual property and obtain and maintain patents and other protections for our intellectual property.

 

·the possible impact from competing products or technologies;

 

·possible reductions in consumer demand for fish and poultry, including as a result of any outbreaks of disease, including avian flu, or negative reports regarding the health benefits of fish and poultry;

 

·our ability to hire, train and retain a consistent supply of reliable and effective employees, both domestically and in any countries in which we might be able to install one of our processing system;

 

·the risk of non-payment by, and/or insolvency or bankruptcy of, our customers and others with indebtedness to us;

 

·the costs of complying with applicable labor laws and requirements, including, without limitation, with respect to health care;

 

·economic and political instability in foreign countries or restrictive actions by the governments of foreign countries in which we may seek to conduct our business or obtain customers;

 

·changes in tax laws or the laws and regulations governing food processing and on income generated outside the United States;

 

·general economic, business and social conditions in the United States and in foreign countries where we may conduct our business;

 

·fluctuation in interest rates, insurance, shipping, energy, fuel and other business utilities in any countries in which we conduct business;

 

·the stability of and fluctuations in currencies in which we conduct business;

 

·threats or acts of terrorism or war; strikes, work stoppages or slowdowns by labor organizations in any countries in which we conduct business; and

 

·natural or man-made disasters that could adversely impact the industries or countries in which we conduct business.

 

ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

NONE.

 

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

We lease our Corporate offices in the City of Hanford, California, for $1,125 per month. We have approximately 1,500 square feet of office facilities located at 802 N Douty St., Hanford, California. The lease is annually renewable and expires June 30, 2014.

 

We also lease a marketing office in Los Gatos, California, for $2,904 per month. The premises are office space of approximately 1,100 square feet and the lease rate escalates to $3,300 per month over its 3 year term. The lease expires May 31, 2015

 

We also lease warehouse facilities in Hanford, California. We rent approximately 15,000 square feet of warehouse space under a seven (7) year lease at $7,957 per month, requiring escalating rent to $8,441 over the term of the lease. The lease expires in September 2014.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are not a party to any material legal proceedings and, to our knowledge, no material proceedings are threatened or contemplated against us.

 

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II.

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

There is currently no public market for our securities and we cannot assure you that one will develop.

 

Number of Stockholders

 

As of February 28, 2013, we had 660 stockholders of record.

 

Dividends

 

Common Stock: We have not paid dividends on our common stock and we do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock at any time in the foreseeable future. To date, we have generated only limited revenues and we currently anticipate that we will retain any future earnings for use in developing our business. Any determination to pay dividends on our common stock in the future will be at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors, if any. Our Series C Preferred Stock has certain dividend rights, described below. Until all such dividends are paid on the Series C Preferred Stock, we are prohibited from declaring or paying any dividend on our Common Stock.

 

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Preferred Stock: We do not have any Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock outstanding.

 

In 2009, we filed a Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges with the Delaware Secretary of State to create a Series C Preferred Stock, consisting of up to 1,500,000 shares. The Series C Preferred Stock bears an 8% annual dividend, which accrues quarterly in arrears, and is payable prior to, and in preference to, any dividends on our common stock. Dividends on any issued and outstanding shares of Series C Preferred shall accrue, whether or not declared by the Board of Directors; provided, that, payment of such dividends will be subject to declaration of dividends, if, as and when, by the Board of Directors, in compliance with applicable Delaware law regarding the payment of dividends out of surplus or net profits, and subject to the recommendation of the Company’s President and/or Chief Financial Officer with respect to payment of dividends after review of the Company’s working capital reserves in light of the Company’s business strategy. At this time, the Board does not anticipate having adequate revenues or cash flow to permit any declaration and payment of the accrued dividends in the near future. Investors shall be given the option, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, when the cash dividend is paid, to have such dividend reinvested/paid in shares of Common Stock (at the fair market value of the Common Stock, based on the most recent private equity sales price or the 30-day average trailing bid price of the Company’s Common Stock, if traded on a Company-approved public stock exchange or electronic quotation system), at the election of each shareholder.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

During the fourth quarter of 2011, we issued the securities described below which were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act. We did not employ any form of general solicitation or advertising in connection with the offer and sale of the securities described below. In addition, we believe the purchasers of the securities are “accredited investors” for the purpose of Rule 501 of the Securities Act. For these reasons, among others, the offer and sale of the securities listed below were made in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, Regulation D or Regulation S promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, under the Securities Act.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2012, a total of 384,712 shares of common stock and 6,215 warrants to purchase common stock were issued in private placements at prices of $2.39 per share and $3.50 per unit for total cash proceeds of $928,500.

 

We have a short term note in the amount of $1,300,000 that bears interest at the rate of 9% per annum with the interest payable in shares of common stock valued at a price of $2.25. The note was renewed with an interest rate of 9% per annum, and a renewal bonus of 26,000 shares of common stock was issued at a value eof $58,000 or $2.25 per share. The note was renewed twice during 2012 and required the issuance of 104,000 shares of common stock at $2.25 per share for a value of $234,000 for both the renewal bonus and accrued interest at maturity.

 

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Accrued Directors fees are paid in shares of common stock. A total of 30,541 shares of common stock were issued for director fees during the fourth quarter of 2012 valued at $72,993.

Common shares were issued for services to two consultants during the fourth quarter of 2012, for a total of 2,343 common shares valued at $5,600.

 

We did not make any repurchases of our securities during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012.

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS of financial condition and results OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion has been prepared by management and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Company Overview

 

Our iPura® System is the physical on-site processing element of The iPura®Food Safety Program, which combines various food safety elements described below. Our latest generation iPura™ System is designed to process seafood, with certain customization required for different types of seafood and the specific requirements of a given installation site.

 

In 2009, we completed the installation of our iPura® System at a food processor located in China, Tongwei (Hainan) Aquatic Products Co., and began producing our first order of inventory and selling it in the United States. We completed installation of a second, larger iPura® System with a processor in Vietnam in early 2010, but had to remove the installation after quality control and solvency issues arose with that processor. We have selected an alternative processor in Vietnam for the installation of that equipment. We have a third system installed at another processor in China, which was installed in the “Evergreen Aquatic facility” that is operational and production commenced in late 2012. Our fourth system is at our Hanford, California warehouse facility and is able to be installed if capacity is required.

 

From the commencement of our research and development activities in 2001, we have raised substantial equity capital to fund the development of our iPura® System. At December 31, 2012, the Company has accumulated losses approximating $71,000,000 and has incurred negative cashflow from operating activities of approximately $2,800,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012. Research on our first generation prototype was completed in 2004, and development and refinement on the commercial system design continued through 2005, especially adapting the system to processing salmon. Further development has resulted in a more efficient, less labor intensive and more easily maintained processing system.

 

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The Company is executing its marketing strategy by promoting the iPura® brand to food processors and industry associations as the world’s first food safety label. In addition to selling to retail chains on a wholesale basis, we are promoting a private label program to large retailers to exclusively source iPura labeled products to protect their own brand. In our vision, an established leader would enthusiastically “champion” the iPura® brand by promoting the iPura® logo next to its name on their product packaging, with the iPura® seal also displayed on the individually wrapped fillets inside the package (“iPura® inside”). This would communicate to customers that the retailer is doing everything possible to improve food safety, food quality and sustainability of natural resources. Our value proposition to retailers is that sourcing iPura® products will allow the retailer to increase control & trust of foreign suppliers, protect their brand and company image, and increase sales with repeat purchases due to superior products. Our private label program is a cost plus price model, earning a gross profit per pound with full transparency on cost of raw materials, the iPura® Program, logistics and a gross profit for the Company.

 

The iPura® brand and seal is anchored with a descriptive and lasting slogan: The Highest Standard in Food Safety™”.

 

·  The science and marketing connect well with world food safety issues.

·  The iPura® label is a tool which communicates that exceptional food safety measures have been taken to protect consumer health.

·  The label will serve to identify food products that have a higher level of safety and quality.

·  GFT has filed trade marks for its brand and slogan in every major food producing and food consuming nation.

 

The iPura® Food Safety Program is the constitution of the iPura® food safety brand, which is anticipated to include:

 

·  An organic pathogenic and spoilage microorganism “kill step” prior to packaging.

·  Intelligent packaging of product.

·  Product traceability of handling and temperature.

·  An independent third party certification of standards.

·  A unique product insurance that follows the iPura® labeled product throughout the distribution chain.

·   A distribution chain and consumer “pull through” marketing program promoting iPura® as “The Highest Standard in Food Safety™.”

 

The iPura® Food Safety Program is designed to help the food distribution chain grow their margins by increasing the quality, safety, and economic value of their products by reducing or eliminating the waste and liability associated with the distribution of contaminated food, and by increasing shelf life.

 

Distribution and Marketing Plan

 

Management has determined it is commercially feasible to create recurring revenue streams through service, sales, and licensing to capitalize on the potential of our proprietary technologies, market opportunities and human resources. We have identified four price-per-pound revenue models and in each model, GFT will provide the daily on-site service to maintain control of The Highest Standard in Food Safety and Quality. The models are discussed in detail previously in “Business” in Part I, Item 1.

 

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We are proceeding to validate iPura® with sales in the U.S. markets through the “importer model” and “private label brand manufacturer model” (co-branding).This has allowed the iPura® brand to gain a limited amount of market recognition which management believes will lead to important private label brand sales. After the private label business is proven, we intend to pursue growth by adding more food products and by licensing strategic partners to distribute iPura®-labeled products internationally, thereby creating additional streams of recurring revenue. Market entry begins with the most popular aquaculture products: tilapia, striped pangasius (swai), catfish, and shrimp. Farmed tilapia is available now, guaranteed to have been processed with the iPura® Food Safety Program.

 

The iPura® marketing materials that target large distributors and retailers make a point that iPura® promotes their brand by differentiating their product from all others in the marketplace. The materials point out that iPura® addresses brand protection and critical food safety and quality assurance issues at a level unmatched in the industry. Marketing materials also point out that today’s consumers expect a higher degree of food safety and most believe that not enough is being done to protect their health. The iPura® seal represents the highest standards in food safety, quality, and sustainability.

 

Promotion of the brand, of course, includes advertising. We advertise in trade publications such as: Seafood Business, Seafood International, Intrafish, GAA Magazine, Progressive Grocer, Food Safety Magazine and Chef.

 

One of the most important direct marketing opportunities of the year is presented at the International Boston Seafood Show, held in March. We have had a noticable presence and were staffed with the sales and marketing team. We had the opportunity to meet with top executives from our target prospect list as well as to conduct interviews with media to promote the iPura® brand and private label business. We believe that this direct approach to large distributors and retailers, combined with media coverage and a limited amount of consumer marketing will result in the market acceptance of the iPura® brand.

 

Consumer marketing currently is limited to a social media presence and our contract with Global Media Fund, LLC to place articles describing iPura® food safety in various newspapers throughout the U.S. Currently, most of our retail sales, such as at grocery stores, are made to customers without any prominent iPura® branding. We hope to improve point-of-sale branding and have developed descriptive brochures and educational materials for display at various supermarkets where seafood with the iPura® seal is sold. The Social Media core tools: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Blogger are used to publicize iPura within industry thought leaders and directly to consumers.

 

Processor and Distribution Agreements

 

We have installed three iPura® Systems under installation and supplier agreements, two in China and one pending in Vietnam. One system in China has been operating since 2009, producing tilapia fillets, which is our only source of historic revenue. The other system has been installed with a different processor in China and began producing iPura® tilapia product in the end of 2012. A third system is on standby in Vietnam awaiting installation in Caseamex . Vietnam was scheduled to begin production of pangasius/swai (a catfish) in the second quarter of 2011. However, the processor failed to meet iPura® standards as microbial loads on product and processing equipment were very high; we removed the iPura® equipment including laboratory equipment to protect our brand integrity. We are currently scheduling the installation of equipment in Caseamex around the potential orders for Swai.

 

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Under these agreements, GFT is generally responsible for the cost of manufacturing, fabricating and installing the iPura® System at the processors’ facilities, with the processors providing power and utility connections and certain other operating expenses.   Our iPura® System is typically installed onto one or two processing lines at the processors’ facilities.  Our iPura® System will be operated and supervised by GFT personnel, at GFT’s expense.  Seafood processed through our iPura® System will then be packaged and labeled with our iPura® seal. Our wholly owned subsidiary, iPura Food Distribution Company (“IFD”) has the exclusive rights to buy and distribute the seafood processed with our iPura® System and the processors therefore cannot sell such seafood to any other customers or distributors, or otherwise use our iPura® System for any other seafood processing. The agreements have terms that range from one to three years from the date of completion of the installation of our iPura® System at the respective processor’s facility.  IFD has obtained most favored nations pricing with respect to seafood purchased under all of the agreements. None of the agreements have any minimum purchase requirements for IFD.

 

We have received limited purchase orders to date for our products and continue negotiations with certain select U.S. grocery store retailers, including negotiations with regional and national retailers.  With this “importer” sales model, we will need to obtain adequate financing in order to purchase the seafood from the processor and carry the seafood inventory costs until resold to a sub-distributor or retailer. The marketing focus is now on the private label business with these same retailers and is expected to require much less inventory carrying cost.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The report from our independent registered public accounting firm on our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in this Form 10-K indicates that that factors relating to our financial condition as of December 31, 2012 and our results of operations and cashflows for the year ended December 31, 2012 raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Historically, our primary source of cash has been the sale of equity instruments to investors and debt financing agreements. Although we expect to generate increasing revenue from increased sales of seafood processed with our iPura® Systems within the next 12 months, any funds generated from installing and operating our iPura® Systems during the next 12 months are not expected to cover our operating expenses.

 

Based on our cash balance as of December 31, 2012, we are in need of immediate additional financing to fund our current operating and working capital requirements. Furthermore, we believe that we will need approximately $5 million to manufacture iPura® Systems and cover operating expenses during the next twelve months, in addition to a financing vehicle or a line of credit to finance the inventory of iPura® product. As an alternative to a traditional commercial bank line of credit, we have implemented a program, described below, to finance inventory. The amount of capital required will vary depending on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. We cannot provide assurance that funds from our future operations or funds provided by our current financing activities will meet our capital requirements, and in that event, we will continue to seek additional sources of financing to maintain liquidity. Any additional capital we raise will likely involve issuing additional shares of common stock or other equity securities, or obtaining debt financing, which could be convertible into equity securities. However, at this point, we have not specifically identified the type or sources of this funding.

 

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As of December 31, 2012, we had trade indebtedness and accrued liabilities in the ordinary course of business as well as deferred compensation of approximately $450,000, other debt in the form of continuing short term loans of $640,000 from a Director and a shareholder due on demand, and a one-year note from a third party in the amount of $246,000, due in 2013.

 

In 2010, a stockholder resident in the United Kingdom loaned the Company $1,300,000 on a six month note bearing interest at 9% per year. The note has been extended for an additional six months at each maturity date and now matures in May 2013. Interest is payable at each maturity in shares of Company common stock at the rate of $2.25 per share and is recorded as current interest expense. At the sole option of the lender, the principal may also be converted into shares of Company common stock at the fixed rate of $2.25 per share. Pursuant to a security agreement, the note is secured by all of the assets of the Company and is subordinate to a 2006 related party note of $250,000. Currently, we do not have the ability or resources to repay such loans if a demand is made for repayment in full. In such event, this secured lender could foreclose on all of our assets as part of its security interest.

 

We have implemented a trade financing program for individual accredited investors as an alternative to traditional commercial inventory financing and factoring. This financing program consists of issuing promissory notes, secured by inventory and equipment, in a series of maturities from one to three years with annual interest rates from 8.2% to 9.2%. The funds are received and controlled by a third party custodian to be disbursed for third party costs of inventory. As is typical of trade financing, the Company’s collected sales proceeds will be applied pro rata to trade financing debt. At December 31, 2012, the Company had $1,187,423 in trade financing debt on one year notes. They mature on their anniversaries throughout 2013 and, based on past renewal activity. weW expect that the majority will be renewed upon maturity.

 

We are actively pursuing all potential financing options as we look to secure additional funds both to stabilize and to grow our business operations. Our management will review any financing options at their disposal, and will judge each potential source of funds on its individual merits. Since we have not located any commercial bank inventory financing, we are developing options for inventory debt financing with other private parties, as described in more detail above. Successful inventory financing is critical to fund the distribution of our products and generate revenue. We cannot cannot provide assurance that we will be able to secure additional funds from debt or equity financing, as and when we need to, or if we can, that the terms of this financing will be favorable to us or our stockholders. We are exploring commercial and joint venture financing opportunities and relationships with potential processor/customers with sale and lease-back arrangements.

 

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We believe that we have adequate plant capabilities and capacity and sufficient qualified personnel to achieve our planned operations over the next 12 months. Historically, the fabrication of major components of our iPura® System have been outsourced. We will likely continue this practice, and may also elect to outsource the integration and installation of the units depending on the number of units installed and the logistics of a particular site. We will add non-technical support personnel as required to manage the increase in administrative activity.

 

Results of Operations

 

Sales:

 

We began sales in July 2009, with nominal sales for the year ended December 31, 2009. Sales increased to $1,109,230 for the year ended December 31, 2010, with approximately 30% of such sales to Safeway. The remainder was to regional grocery distributors that sell to independent grocery stores and restaurants in many regions throughout the country. These sales did not command the premium pricing necessary for the iPura® program and were terminated in 2011. In 2011, we negotiated with Safeway to expand our product offering to a co-branded two pound bag. Raw product pricing mandated that we should have a dual source for the tilapia product for Safeway, which required the installation of an iPura® processing system in the Evergreen.Aquatic processing plant and was accomplished by the end of 2012. This delay reduced sales to Safeway to only the individual fillets for the service case pending delivery of tilapia from the Evergreen Aquatic processor. We anticipate that the sales to Safeway in 2013 will be filled from the Evergreen Aquatic processor while the production of iPura® branded product for other retailers will continue to be produced by the Tongwei processor. As a result sales were $377,036 and $113,078 for the years ended 2012 and 2011 respectively an increase of 233%. Sales to Safeway represented 71% of total sales in 2012 and zero in 2011.

 

We anticipate an increase in volume from both Safeway and other existing customers and additional sales to new chains and distributors as they respond to our marketing programs. We anticipate that our gross margins, approximately 9% and 20% for 2012 and 2011, respectively, will remain in the 9% range based on our transparent pricing model of “cost plus,” which is includes a 25 cent per pound profit component. This model is planned to differentiate iPura product from the existing commodity-based product pricing model we currently experience in the marketplace.

 

Expenses:

 

Our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $3,077,352 compared to $3,689,050 for the previous year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of 17%. For the year ended December 31, 2012, total operating costs decreased 16% over the year ended December 31, 2011, from $3,711,444 to $3,110,811. The reduction is in all three categories of expense: marketing, general and administrative and research and development with a marketing expenses reduction of 29% and general and administrative expense at 23%. All reductions are the result of a reduction of activity and headcount while organizing the Evergreen production for private label sales to Safeway. The lesser decrease of 16% in total costs from 2011 to 2012, is solely the inclusion of an impairment charge to depreciation of $231,652 in 2012 representing the fourth iPura® System not scheduled for installation either in China or Vietnam. Without this one time charge, the decrease in total costs is 22% between the years ended 2012 and 2011. Depreciation expense increased 17% reflecting the Evergreen Aquatic equipment being placed in service and interest expense decreased 10% principally due to the renewal option of the $1,300,000 note being paid on a six month basis in 2012 rather than annually. The interest charges included an expense of $234,000 in both years which is a non cash expense payable only in common stock.

 

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Revenue increased 233% for 2012 from 2011, but the gross margin decreased 49% between such years. Such decrease is due to the mix of customers and the change of pricing policy. Safeway sales had been deferred in 2011 pending a new source of supply and the imposition of the new cost plus pricing, where existing customers were escalated to the new pricing immediately. Marketing expenses decreased 29%, from $823,846 in 2011 to $584,660 in 2012 due to the reduction of market presence. We believe that the iPura brand has been adequately established with the market influencers and there is less need for industry promotion. However, consumer promotion continues through social networking and limited print promotion. Both general and administrative and research and development expenses decreased approximately 25% as a percentage of revenue between the years 2012 and 2011, with the administrative function structurally established and product development function awaiting new funding for product line extension.

 

Depreciation expense increased 17% reflecting the Evergreen Aquatic equipment being placed in service and interest expense decreased 10% principally due to the renewal option of the $1,300,000 note initiated in 2011. The interest charges included an expense of $234,000 in both years which is a non cash expense payable only in common stock. However, Depreciation expense is expected to increase in the future if and when additional systems are installed. Also interest expense is expected to increase substantially as the trade finance debt facilities are expanded to finance expected future iPura sales volumes.

 

Critical Accounting policies

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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 those estimates. Significant estimates include the valuation of deferred tax assets, inventory allowances, the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, fixed asset impairment charges and the fair value of equity instruments.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenues when all of the following conditions exist:  a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists in the form of an accepted purchase order; b) delivery has occurred, based on shipping terms, or services have been rendered; c) the Company’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, as documented on the accepted purchase order; and d) collectability is reasonably assured.  To date, all of the purchase orders from our customers have met these criteria and therefore, the Company recognizes revenue when product is shipped to the customer.

 

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Long-lived Assets

 

We review long lived assets for events or changes in circumstances that indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value and is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and a charge to operating results.

 

Research and Development Costs

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Purchased materials that do not have an alternative future use and the cost to develop prototypes of production equipment are also expensed. Costs incurred in the fabrication, testing, installation of commercial systems are capitalized as long lived assets.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all entities to apply a fair-value based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions with employees. Shares, warrants and options issued to non-employees for services are accounted for in accordance with U.S. GAAP whereby the fair value of such option and warrant grants is determined using the Black-Scholes Model at the earlier of the date at which the non-employee’s performance is completed or a performance commitment is reached.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Contractual Cash Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

Cautionary Information Regarding “Forward-Looking Statements”

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes certain statements about us that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to matters such as, among other things, product development and acceptance, our anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, future distribution or license rights, international expansion, possible strategic alternatives, new business concepts, capital expenditures, consumer trends and similar matters.

 

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Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievement expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “hope,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “predict,” “approximate,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms. Statements including these words and variations of these words, and other similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon our knowledge of our business, we cannot absolutely predict or guarantee any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these statements.

 

Forward-looking statements made by us are based upon knowledge of our business and the environment in which we operate. However, because of various risk factors, including those briefly listed in Part I, Item 1A above, actual results may differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Consequently, these cautionary statements qualify all of the forward-looking statements made in this report. We cannot assure you that the results or developments we anticipate will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that those results or developments will result in the expected consequences or otherwise affect us, our business or operations in the ways expected. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates or on any subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf, all of which are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except to the extent required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to release or publish any revisions to our forward-looking statements, including without limitation those contained in this report, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

ITEM 7A. quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS and supplementary data

 

The information required by this item is submitted as a separate section of this report immediately following the signature page.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure during the fourth quarter or during our two most recent fiscal years.

 

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that this information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Our management, with the participation and supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

 

Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective based on our material weakness in the form of lack of segregation of duties, which stems from our early stage status and limited capital resources to hire additional financial and administrative staff.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that management document and test the Company's internal control over financial reporting and include in this Annual Report on Form 10-K a report on management's assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including Mr. Meeks, our Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Sparks, our Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective based on the material weakness indicated below:

 

·As is typical with emerging companies, we lack the necessary number of personnel to provide adequate segregation of duties within our accounting and financial reporting functions.

 

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Our plan to remediate this material weakness, subject to monetary constraints, is to hire additional personnel and/or utilize outside consultants to provide an acceptable level of segregation of duties. This annual report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding our internal control over financial reporting since such report is not required for non-accelerated filers pursuant to certain federal legislation enacted in July 2010.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B OTHER INFORMATION

 

Information Not Previously Disclosed in a Report on Form 8-K

 

None

 

PART III.

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS and corporate governance

 

The names, ages and positions of our directors and executive officers, as of December 31, 2012, are set forth below. Biographical information for each of these persons also is presented below:

 

Name   Age   Position Held
Keith Meeks   52   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Marshall F. Sparks   72   Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
Gary L. Nielsen   70   Director
Arthur C. Agnos   74   Director
James Stockland   50   Director

 

There are no family relationships between any of our directors and/or any executive officers.

 

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Keith Meeks – Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Mr. Keith Meeks currently serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer, positions he was appointed to in August 2005. He has also served as a member of our Board since January 2009. He was also a co-founder of our parent corporation, Global Food Tech (“Tech”). Previous to this, he had served as the Vice President of Corporate Development of Tech where his responsibilities included working with Tech’s consultants and advisors to select beta test site partners and primary target markets. He has been a director and an officer of Tech since August 2001. From August 2000 to July 2001, he was the Director of Business Development of Global Food Technologies, LLC, the predecessor of Tech. We believe that Mr. Meeks’ experience as a founder of our parent company and his extensive knowledge about the operations of our Company make him qualified to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Meeks started his professional career in the financial services industry in 1980 with New York Life, and later became a Certified Financial Planner and Investment Advisor, receiving this designation from the College of Financial Planners in Denver, Colorado. In 2008, he was awarded the Certificate in International Food Laws from Michigan State University, the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, and the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations.

 

On December 24, 2002, the California Corporations Commissioner issued Cease and Refrain Orders pursuant to California Corporations Code 25532, enjoining Mr. Meeks, among approximately 150 financial advisors, from (1) offering for sale any investment agreements in the form of promissory notes, real estate investment agreements and/or investment contract issued by TLC Investment & Trade Co., TLC America, Inc., dba Brea Development Company, TLC Brokerage, Inc., dba TLC Marketing, TLC Development Inc. and/or TLC Real Properties RLLP-1, or any other security not qualified or exempt under California’s securities laws; (2) effecting any transaction involving a security without first being licensed in California as a broker-dealer and (3) offering, selling, buying or offering to buy any security by means of any written or oral communication which includes an untrue statement of material fact.

 

Mr. Meeks has over 21 years of involvement in the financial services industry, and during this time, has not been sued based on the services he has provided to his clients or for any other reason or matter. No action has been taken nor charges filed against him following his receipt of the Cease and Refrain Orders from the California Corporations Commissioner.

 

Marshall F. Sparks – Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

Mr. Marshall F. Sparks currently serves as our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, positions he was appointed to in August 2005. Mr. Sparks is also the Chief Financial Officer of Tech. He has been a consultant on corporate financial matters and capital formation with Hampton Financial and has operated Hampton Financial since September 1990. Mr. Sparks is a financial executive with extensive experience in developing technology businesses. He has founded and capitalized numerous companies, taking them from the developmental to the commercial stage. He has facilitated and conducted five initial public offerings, five joint venture transactions and 15 merger and acquisition transactions. Mr. Sparks is a California Certified Public Accountant and earned his undergraduate degree and MBA from the University of California, Berkeley.

 

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Gary L. Nielsen – Director

 

Mr. Gary L. Nielsen currently serves as one of our Directors. He also serves as a Director on Tech’s Board of Directors, a position he has held since December 2004. Mr. Nielsen is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants. From September 2005 until September 2009, Mr. Nielsen served as the President of National Health Benefits Corp. He served as the principal of Terra Capital, Inc. from September 2003 through September 2005. From December 2000 through September 2003, Mr. Nielsen was the Chief Financial Officer and a shareholder of Environmental Support Solutions, Inc. Previously, he was a manager in the Phoenix office of KPMG and has served in an executive capacity as Senior VP of Finance or CFO for three NYSE companies, one AMEX company and a NASDAQ company. These companies include Granite Golf Corporation, Best Western International, Giant Industries, Inc., American Continental Corporation and Del Webb Corporation. Mr. Nielsen is experienced in the areas of financial reporting and analysis, SEC reporting, internal controls and operational analysis with perspectives from serving in multiple industries including public accounting which qualify him to serve as a member of the Board. Mr. Nielsen is a graduate of the Arizona State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

 

Arthur C. Agnos – Director

 

Mr. Arthur C. Agnos currently serves as one of our Directors, a position he was appointed to in August 2005. Mr. Agnos also serves on the Board of Directors Linear Technologies Corporation located in Milpitas California. He formerly served as a Director of Countrywide Treasury Bank until July 2008. From February 2001 to September 2005, Mr. Agnos served as a consultant for E.J. De La Rosa & Co., Inc., an investment banking firm. Mr. Agnos has extensive experience in executive roles and decision-making at the federal, state and local government levels as Mayor of San Francisco, as an elected member of the California State Legislature and as a senior Presidential appointee in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Agnos began his elective career in the California legislature, where he served as Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. He has served as the Chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Health and Welfare Subcommittee of the California legislature. From June 1993 to January 2001, he was the Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Pacific-Hawaii region. Mr. Agnos brings his experience as a large organization manager and the perspective of the public regulatory environment as his principal qualifications to serve on the Board. Mr. Agnos received a Bachelor of Arts from Bates College and a Master in Social Work from Florida State University.

 

James Stockland – Director

 

Mr. Stockland was elected to the Board of Directors in December 2007. Mr. Stockland is the Founder and CEO of A&D Sales and Marketing, Inc. in Fayetteville, Arkansas. A&D Sales procures and distributes meat and poultry products to the retail, foodservice and industrial markets in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, and other international markets.  A&D Sales is a successful meat and poultry trading company in the United States and has an impeccable reputation within the industry built on trust and integrity since 1991. In 1994, Mr. Stockland co-founded Ozark Consulting and Marketing, Inc.  Ozark Consulting and Marketing represents some of the largest vendors in the seafood and poultry industries to Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Wholesale Clubs.  OCM is responsible for ordering, inventory and replenishment, and many other changing duties. Mr. Stockland is extensively experienced as an executive in the Company’s industry and operates daily in the Company’s market and with potential customers giving the Company a unique perspective, and qualifying him to serve on the Board.

 

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Mr. Stockland attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas and earned a bachelors degree in History and Physical Education.  He earned a Masters of Education degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

 

Outside of work, Mr. Stockland is the President of the Donald W. Reynolds Boys and Girls Club.  The club is a $10,000,000 facility which encompasses approximately 85,000 square feet and services over 6,000 members annually.  Most of his board time has been spent creating and implementing a new strategic plan to keep up with the needs of the club, including fundraising for the operational needs as well as future growth and facility expansion. 

 

Term of Office

 

Our Bylaws provide for a staggered, or classified Board, consisting of three classes of directors serving three year terms, with only one class being subject to stockholder election at any particular annual stockholder meeting, after the initial election. Since the staggered Board was implemented pursuant to our annual stockholders meeting held on August 24, 2011, two of the three classes will serve one and two year terms initially, to create the staggering of the Board. Thereafter, all directors will serve three-year terms.

 

Vacancies on the Board of Directors by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office, or otherwise, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. The directors so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the entire applicable term of the class to which they were appointed, until the next annual meeting of the stockholders at which members of the director’s class are elected and until their successors are duly elected. The current classes are as follows:

 

CLASS   DIRECTORS   YEAR TERM EXPIRES
I   James Stockland   2013
         
II   Arthur C. Agnos (and one vacancy created when Mr. Fryer resigned)   2013
         
III   Keith Meeks and Gary L. Nielsen   2014

 

Meetings of the Board of Directors and Information Regarding Committees

 

During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, our Board of Directors utilized numerous conference calls to supervise management but held no formal meetings. Any formal actions were accomplished with written consents.

 

37
 

 

Our Board of Directors has established three committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating/Governance Committee. As of January 31, 2012, these committees were comprised as follows:

 

Audit Committee:

 

 

Gary L. Nielsen (Committee Chairman),

(Audit Committee Financial Expert)

Arthur C. Agnos

James Stockland

Compensation Committee:

Arthur C. Agnos (Committee Chairman)

Gary L. Nielsen

James Stockland

Nominating & Governance Committee

Gary L. Nielsen (Committee Chairman),

Arthur C Agnos

James Stockland

 

As of December 31, 2012, Arthur C. Agnos and James Stockland are independent directors. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Nielsen is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under SEC rules, but Mr. Nielsen does not qualify as an “independent director” under the standards we utilize. See “Director Independence” under Item 13 below.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder require our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders to file reports of beneficial ownership of our common stock on Form 3 and changes in beneficial ownership on Forms 4 and 5 with the SEC.

 

We believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, our executive officers, directors or beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock complied with Section 16(a) filing requirements.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive, financial and accounting officers. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on our website at www.globalfoodtech.com. We intend to disclose on our website amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of our Code of Ethics which applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer and persons performing similar functions and amendments to, or waivers from, any provision which relates to any element of our Code of Ethics.

 

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Executive Compensation

 

We have not adopted any retirement, pension, profit sharing or insurance programs or other similar programs for the benefit of our employees other than the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for Officers, Directors, employees and consultants.

 

The following table sets forth compensation information for services rendered by our Chief Executive Officer in fiscal 2012 and our named executive officers.

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal
Position
  Year   Salary
($)(1)
   Option
Awards
($)
   All 
Other  
Compensation
($) (2)
   Total
($)
 
                     
Keith Meeks   2012    150,000        17,171    167,171 
President and   2011    150,000        15,381    165,381 
Chief Executive                         
                          
Marshall F Sparks   2012    124,000            124,000 
Chief Financial   2011    120,000            120,000 
Officer                         

 

(1)Salary consists of compensation earned and either paid in cash or deferred until Company cash flow improves. At December 31, 2012, the cumulative deferral amounts are for: Mr. Meeks - $20,600, Mr. Sparks - $77,000.
(2)Other Annual Compensation represents payments made on a leased vehicle and the personal use portion of rental paid for an office apartment in San Jose, CA.

 

Stock Option Grants

 

We adopted our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan in November 2006. Directors, officers, employees and consultants are eligible to receive awards under the plan. No awards have been made to officers and Directors under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. Other awards to the named executive officers are set forth below.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Name  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable (1)
   Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
   Option
Exercise
Price ($)
   Option
Expiration
Date
 
Keith Meeks                    
Marshall F. Sparks       200,000       $5.00    Dec 2013 
Marshall F. Sparks       200,000        $7.00    Dec. 2013 

 

(1) The equity awards were in the form of warrants, which were not issued under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. The warrants are fully vested but are not exercisable until the shares are registered or our common stock is listed on a stock exchange or other market selected by the Company.

 

Employment Agreements

 

We have no employment agreements or severance agreements with any of our respective executive officers and directors.

 

Director Compensation

 

Our independent directors are entitled to receive the following compensation:

·$24,000 annual retainer fee
·$1,000 per Board meeting attended
·$4,000 per year per committee chairmanship

 

Director’s fees are accrued monthly and the accrual is paid in shares of common stock annually, the timing being at the request of the individual Director, with Directors permitted to defer all or a portion of such compensation. After the first year of service, independent directors are entitled to stock option or warrant grants in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

We accrued compensation for our Chairman of the Board through 2011 at an annual amount of $93,600. Beginning in 2012, the Chairman no longer received any additional compensation for serving as the Chairman, and received only normal Board fees in 2012. As of December 31, 2012, our independent directors were Arthur C. Agnos and James Stockland. All directors are entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with their duties as directors.

 

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Director compensation

Name  Fees Earned or
Paid
in Cash ($)
   Stock Awards
($)(3)
   Option Awards
($)
   Total
($)
 
Keith Meeks (1)                
Gary L Nielsen (2)       18,664        18,664 
Arthur C Agnos       56,992        56,992 
James Stockland       24,000        24,000 
Total       99,656        99,656 

 

(1) Mr. Meeks did not receive any compensation for serving as a director. Compensation for services as an officer is disclosed above in the “Summary Compensation Table” disclosing named executive officer compensation.

 

(2) Mr. Nielsen has been compensated as Chairman of the Board through 2011, however, none of this amount was paid in cash during 2012 but was deferred until the cash position improves. The total amount deferred for Mr. Nielsen for 2009 through 2011 is $211,700. As described above, his compensation reverted to only Board fees in 2012 and $18,664 was accrued and paid in 7,809 shares of common stock.

 

(3) The dollar amounts in this column represent the portion of directors’ fees actually paid (in the form of common stock grants) during 2012, not deferred, plus any grants of common stock for directors’ fees that were accrued in prior years but paid in 2012. A total of 30,541 shares were issued during the year for Board services and were valued at $101,989 , which includes $2,333 in fees earned by Steven Fryer who resigned in January 2012. The shares of stock are fully vested and not subject to any forfeiture or repurchase restrictions.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Equity Compensation Plans

 

In 2006, we adopted a stock incentive plan to incentivize officers, Directors, employees and consultants with awards of securities including stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock grants. There are a maximum of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock subject to award under the plan and the awards must be made at fair market value at the date of the award. We have awarded grants of 1,345,000 shares of restricted stock to 33 individuals. No awards were made to officers or Directors under the plan.

 

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Plan category  

Number of securities

to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

    Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
  Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
 
Plans approved by security holders    1,345,000 (1)   Not Applicable   1,655,000 (2)
Plans not approved by security holders   None     Not Applicable   None  

(1) Represents restricted common stock issued.

(2) Represents the unissued balance of the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Beneficial Ownership Table

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the number of shares of our common stock as of December 31,2012, that are owned beneficially by: (i) each person (including any group) known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock, (ii) each of our directors and named executive officers, and (iii) all of our officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the stockholders listed below possess sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated, subject to community property laws where applicable. 

 

Name and Address of Beneficial
Owner (1)
 

Number of

Shares of Our

Common Stock

  

Percentage of Shares of

Our Common Stock (2)

 
Keith Meeks (3) (7)   678,130    2.1%
Marshall F. Sparks (4) (7) (8)   183,334    0.6%
Gary L. Nielsen (5) (7) (9)   246,474    0.8%
Arthur C. Agnos (6) (7)   111,265    0.3%
James Stockland (7)   78,709    0.2%
All directors and officers as a group  (5 individuals) (9)   1,295,912    4.0%
           
Mark Terry
1060 Cactus, Pocatello, ID 83204
   1,693,178    5.2%
           
Global Food Tech, Inc. (“TECH”)   22,945,229    70.0%

 

(1)The address of the stockholders identified in this table is c/o Global Food Technologies, Inc., 802 N Douty Street, Hanford, CA 93203, unless otherwise indicated.

 

42
 

 

(2)The percentage ownership is based on 32,810,851 shares of GFT common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2012.
(3)Includes indirect beneficial ownership of 678,130 shares of GFT through ownership of shares of TECH
(4)Includes indirect beneficial ownership of 133,334 shares of GFT through ownership of shares of TECH.
(5)Includes indirect beneficial ownership of 103,334 shares of GFT through ownership of shares of TECH.
(6)Includes indirect beneficial ownership of 24,334 shares of GFT through ownership of shares of TECH.
(7)Messrs. Meeks, Agnos, Nielsen and Stockland are the directors of TECH. Mr. Meeks is also the President of TECH and Mr. Sparks is the Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of TECH. Messrs. Meeks, Agnos, Nielsen, Stockland and Sparks share voting and dispositive powers with respect to the GFT shares held by TECH. Each of Messrs. Meeks, Agnos, Nielsen, Stockland and Sparks expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares solely by virtue of their positions as officers and directors of TECH. As noted above, certain of these individuals own shares of TECH, which are included on a proportional basis in calculating their indirect beneficial ownership of GFT.
(8)Does not include warrants held by Mr. Sparks to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock, since such warrants are not exercisable currently or within 60 days of the date of this chart.

(10) Includes warrants to purchase 29,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Nielsen that are currently exercisable.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Certain Relationships

 

Our parent company, Global Food Tech, Inc. (“Tech”), owns 22,945,229 shares of our Common Stock, or approximately 70% of our issued and outstanding Common Stock. As of March 1, 2013, all of our directors, Messrs. Meeks, Agnos, Nielsen and Stockland, served as the members of Tech’s Board of Directors. Mr. Meeks also serves as Tech’s President, and Marshall F. Sparks, our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer, also has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of Tech. This commonality of our respective Boards of Directors and executive managements could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when these directors and managements are faced with decisions that could have different implications for Tech and us, including the ability of the Tech directors to vote the shares of GFT held by Tech on all matters, including the election of directors of GFT.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

With respect to each of the transactions described below, we believe that the terms of such transactions were no less favorable to us than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

 

43
 

 

In 2006, we arranged a 30 day bridge loan in the amount of $350,000 from a non-principal shareholder. The loan bears interest at eight percent (8%) per annum and is secured by all assets, including any intellectual assets, of the Company. Additional consideration included the issuance of warrants to purchase 35,000 shares of our common stock. The warrants are exercisable at $4.50 per share for two (2) years from the date of repayment. The Company determined the fair value of the warrants to be $49,245 based upon the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: expected volatility of 50%, a risk-free interest rate of 4.8%, an expected term of 2 years, and 0% dividend yield. In July 2006, $100,000 of principal was repaid. The remaining balance of $250,000 is due on demand and outstanding at December 31, 2012. The loan is guaranteed by the President of the Company.

 

We currently have four loans outstanding from Gary Nielsen, a Director of the Company. In April and May of 2006, we arranged for two loans aggregating $190,000 from Mr. Nielsen, which are demand loans and bear interest of 8%. In August 2006, we arranged for another loan, a six month bridge loan, for $100,000 from Mr. Nielsen bearing interest at 8%. The loan was renewed each subsequent maturity for an additional six months and now matures in May 2013. All such loans are unsecured. An additional loan for $100,000 was borrowed from Mr. Nielsen in September 2009 for the same 30 day term and 12% interest rate. The loan remains unpaid at the date of these financial statements and was amended to become an unsecured demand note.

 

Director Independence

 

Our independent directors were Arthur C. Agnos and James Stockland. These independent directors also serve on our audit committee, compensation committee and nominating and governance committee. Mr. Nielsen also serves on such committees. Since our common stock is not listed on any national securities exchange or other market, we are not subject to the independent director and audit committee membership rules of such exchanges. However, for purposes of determining director independence, we use the standards set forth by the American Stock Exchange.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The Board of Directors appointed Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP (“Squar Milner”), independent registered public accounting firm, to audit our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

The following table shows the fees billed for audit and quarterly review services provided by Squar Milner, for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

   2012   2011 
Audit Fees (1)  $68,000   $68,000 
Audit-Related Fees   0    0 
Tax Fees   0    0 
All Other Fees   0    0 
Total  $68,000   $68,000 

 

 

(1) Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and review of our quarterly financial statements.

 

44
 

 

Pre-Approval of Non-Audit Services

 

The SEC adopted rules that require that before the independent auditor is engaged by us to render any auditing or permitted non-audit related service, the engagement must be:

 

- approved by our Audit Committee; or

 

- entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by our Audit Committee, provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the Audit Committee is informed of each service, and the policies and procedures do not include delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to management.

 

Our Audit Committee requires advance approval of all audit, audit-related, tax and other services performed by our independent auditor. Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year, the Audit Committee must approve the permitted service before our independent auditor is engaged to perform it. All services performed by our independent auditors in 2012 and 2011 were approved in accordance with the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies.

 

45
 

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.   Description
3.1(1)  

Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated October 18, 2005. 

     
3.2(1)  

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws as of August 31, 2005. 

     
3.3(2)   Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges – Series B Preferred Stock
     
3.4(3)   Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges – Series C Preferred Stock
     
10.1(4)  

Services Agreement dated September 30, 2005 between Global Food Technologies, Inc. and Global Media Fund, LLC. 

     
10.2(5)  

2006 Stock Incentive Plan 

     
10.3(6)  

Lease Agreement dated November 1, 2007 between STG Realty Ventures Inc and Global Food Technologies 

     
10.4(7)  

iPura Sales Agreement dated as of November 11, 2008 by and between GFT and Tongwei (Hainan) Aquatic Products Co., Ltd. 

     
10.5(7)   iPura Sales Agreement dated as of November 11, 2008 by and between IFD and Tongwei (Hainan) Aquatic Products Co., Ltd.
     
10.6(8)   Promissory Note dated November 22, 2010 for $1,300,000 to Mukesh Paripatyadar
     
10.7(8)   Security Agreement dated November 22, 2010 with Mukesh Paripatyadar
     
10.8*  

Lease agreement dated May 23, 2012 by and between Ipura Food Distribution Company, Inc. and Lack Properties (facility located in Los Gatos, California) 

     
10.9*  

Ipura Installation and Supply Agreement dated December 5, 2012 by and between Ipura Food Distribution Company, Inc. and Cantho Import-Export Seafood Joint Stock Company (Caseamex) 

     
24.1  

Power of attorney (included in signature page). 

     
31.1*  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

     
31.2*  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

 

46
 

 

32.1   Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
     
101.INS  ‡‡   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH ‡‡   XBRL Taxonomy Schema
     
101.CAL ‡‡   XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase
     
101.DEF ‡‡   XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase
     
101.LAB‡‡   XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase
     
101.PRE ‡‡  

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase 

  
+Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
*Filed herewith
Furnished herewith

 

‡‡XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

(1)Filed on November 23, 2005 as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(2)Filed on July 15, 2009, as an exhibit to our Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(3)Filed on December 11, 2009, as an exhibit to our Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(4)Filed on October 6, 2005 as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(5)Filed on August 2, 2007, as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(6)Filed on February 27, 2009, as an exhibit to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(7)Filed on October 31, 2008, as an exhibit to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(8)Filed on March 31, 2011, as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

47
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: March 20, 2013    
  GLOBAL FOOD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,  
  a Delaware corporation
  By: /s/ Keith Meeks
    Name:  Keith Meeks
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

KNOWN BY ALL PERSONS THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Keith Meeks and Marshall F. Sparks, or any one of them, their attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name:   Title   Date
         
/s/ Keith Meeks   President and Chief Executive Officer   March 20, 2013
Keith Meeks   (Principal Executive Officer), Director    
         
/s/ Gary L. Nielsen   Chairman of the Board, Director   March 20, 2013
Gary L. Nielsen        
         
/s/ Marshall F. Sparks   Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and   March 20, 2013
Marshall F. Sparks   Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting    
    Officer)  
         
/s/ Arthur C. Agnos   Director   March 20, 2013
Arthur C. Agnos        
         
/s/ James Stockland   Director   March 20, 2013
James Stockland        

 

48
 

 

GLOBAL FOOD TECHNOLOGIES, iNC.

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011

  

PAGE 50   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
     
PAGE 51   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011
     
PAGE 52   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011.
     
PAGE 53   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011
     
PAGE 54   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011.
     
PAGES 55-64   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

49
 

 

 

  

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Global Food Technologies, Inc.

Hanford, California

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Global Foods Technologies, Inc. and subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Company was not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Food Technologies, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1, the Company has incurred a significant accumulated deficit through December 31, 2012, has significant negative cash flow from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, and has negative working capital at December 31, 2012. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

/s/ Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP  
   
Newport Beach, California  
   
March 20, 2013  

 

50
 

 

GLOBAL FOOD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

 

   December 31, 
   2012   2011 
ASSETS          
           
CURRENT ASSETS          
Cash  $411,265   $194,662 
Accounts receivable   38,960    11,592 
Inventory   364,320    67,940 
Prepaid expenses   30,645    42,180 
Total Current Assets   845,190    316,374 
           
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET   629,203    947,315 
OTHER ASSETS   26,100    23,189 
           
TOTAL ASSETS  $1,500,493   $1,286,878 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT          
           
CURRENT LIABILITIES          
Accounts payable  $164,960   $168,380 
Accrued liabilities   764,023    838,621 
Notes payable – related parties   640,000    640,000 
Convertible notes payable – other   246,000    246,000 
Trade finance and equipment notes payable   1,187,423    982,423 
Short term convertible note payable   1,300,000    1,300,000 
Total Current Liabilities   4,302,406    4,175,424 
           
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)          
           
Stockholders’ DEFICIT          
Convertible Series C Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,500,000 shares authorized, 399,613 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011, liquidation preference of $4.50 per share   40    40 
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 32,810,851 and 31,502,325 shares issued and outstanding, respectively at December 31, 2012 and 2011   3,281    3,149 
Additional paid-in capital   68,321,270    65,157,417 
Accumulated deficit   (71,126,504)   (68,049,152)
Total stockholders’ deficit   (2,801,913)   (2,888,546)
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT  $1,500,493   $1,286,878 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

51
 

 

GLOBAL FOOD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

   For The
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
   For The
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 
         
         
Sales  $377,036   $133,078 
Cost of sales   343,577    110,684 
Gross profit   33,459    22,394 
           
Expenses          
Marketing   584,660    823,846 
General and administrative   1,121,008    1,455,220 
Research and development   673,438    897,754 
Depreciation   86,460    73,649 
Impairment of property and equipment   231,652    - 
Interest   413,593    460,975 
Total Expenses   3,110,811    3,711,444 
           
NET LOSS  $(3,077,352)  $(3,689,050)
           
Undeclared dividends on Preferred Stock  $143,860   $143,860 
           
Net loss attributable to Common Stockholders   (3,221,212)   (3,832,910)
           
Loss per common share, basic and diluted  $(0.10)  $(0.12)
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding   32,026,368    30,966,971 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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GLOBAL FOOD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

   Preferred Stock   Common Stock   Additional
Paid-in
   Accumulated   Total Stockholders’ 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Deficit 
Balance, December 31, 2010   399,613   $40    30,400,014   $3,040   $62,442,754   $(64,360,102)  $(1,914,268)
Issuance of common stock and warrants for cash –net of issuance costs   -    -    853,815    85    2,140,216    -    2,140,301 
Issuance of common stock for conversion of notes payable   -    -    12,286    1    42,999    -    43,000 
Common stock issued for services and accrued liabilities   -    -    236,210    23    531,448    -    531,471 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (3,689,050)   (3,689,050)
Balance, December 31, 2011   399,613   $40    31,502,325   $3,149   $65,157,417   $(68,049,152)  $(2,888,546)
Issuance of common stock and warrants for cash –net of issuance costs   -    -    1,143,151    115    2,784,987    -    2,785,102 
Common stock issued for services and accrued liabilities   -    -    165,375    17    378,866    -    378,883 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (3,077,352)   (3,077,352)
Balance, December 31, 2012   399,613   $40    32,810,851   $3,281   $68,321,270   $(71,126,504)  $(2,801,913)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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GLOBAL FOOD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   For The
Year Ended
December
31, 2012
   For The
Year Ended
December
31, 2011
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
           
Net loss  $(3,077,352)  $(3,689,050)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Depreciation   86,460    73,649 
Impairment of assets   231,652    - 
Common stock issued for services   144,883    297,471 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (27,368)   19,347 
Inventory   (296,380)   56,201 
Prepaid expenses   11,535    2,105 
Other assets   (2,911)   - 
Accounts payable   (3,420)   64,333 
Accrued liabilities   159,402    379,525 
Net cash used in operating activities   (2,773,499)   (2,796,419)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Proceeds from trade finance notes payable   210,000    93,126 
Principal payments on trade finance notes payable   (5,000)   (247,000)
Proceeds from sale of common stock and warrants, net   2,785,102    2,140,301 
Net cash provided by financing activities   2,990,102    1,986,427 
           
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)  IN CASH   216,603    (809,992)
           
CASH – BEGINNING OF YEAR   194,662    1,004,654 
           
CASH – END OF YEAR  $411,265   $194,662 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES          
Interest paid in cash  $152,397   $155,872 
Non-cash financing transactions:          
Issuance of common stock for accrued liabilities  $234,000   $234,000 
Issuance of common stock for conversion of note payable  $-   $43,000 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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GLOBAL FOOD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011

 

1. NATURE OF BUSINESS

 

Global Food Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” , “our” or “us”) is a life sciences company focused on food safety processes for the food processing industry by using its proprietary scientific processes to substantially increase the shelf life of commercially packaged seafood and to make those products safer for human consumption. The Company has developed a process using its developed technology called the “iPura™ Food Processing System”. The System is installed in processor factories in foreign countries with the product currently sold in the United States. The Company’s ability to generate significant additional revenue will depend, among other things, on its ability to demonstrate the merits of the iPura™ system as well as brand development and establishing alliances with suppliers and vendors.

 

The Company is a registrant under rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and has not yet obtained a listing on any stock exchange.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Company will continue as a going concern, which assumes the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. At December 31, 2012, the Company has an accumulated deficit approximating $71,000,000 and for the year ended December 31, 2012 incurred negative cash flows from operations of approximately $2,800,000. Additionally, the Company has negative working capital at December 31, 2012 of approximately $3,500,000. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Based on the Company’s cash balance at December 31, 2012, management estimates that it will need to raise additional capital in the amount of $5 million to cover operating and capital requirements for fiscal year 2013 and obtain a significant line of credit to finance the inventory of iPura product. Management plans on raising the additional needed capital through issuing additional shares of common stock or other equity securities, or obtaining debt financing. In addition, management is exploring commercial and joint venture financing opportunities. Although management has been successful to date in raising necessary funding, there can be no assurance that required future financing can be successfully completed on a timely basis, or on terms acceptable to the Company.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The summary of significant accounting policies presented below is designed to assist in understanding the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Such financial statements and accompanying notes are the representations of the Company’s management, who are responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) in all material respects, and have been consistently applied in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

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Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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 those estimates.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Global Food Technologies, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary iPura Food Distribution Company, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Concentrations

 

We place our cash with high quality financial institutions, and at times balances may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit.

 

We contract with vendors in China and have established operations in China for the production of our iPura Tilapia product. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, 100% of our purchases were from one vendor in China. The loss of this supplier or any disruptions in China relating to political or economic risks would have a material adverse effect on our operations as the sole source of Tilapia.

 

One customer accounted for 73% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2012 and one customer accounted for than 100% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2011. Two customers accounted for 100% of sales, Safeway at 71% and The Meat Market at 29% respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2012.In the year ended December 31, 2011 The Meat Market and Certi-Fresh Foods each represented 50% of sales.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Management develops an estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on the Company’s current economic circumstances, and its own judgment as to the likelihood of ultimate payment. The Company does not require collateral for trade accounts receivable. Management believes that at December 31, 2012 and 2011, no allowance for doubtful accounts was necessary. Although the Company expects to collect amounts due, actual collections may differ from these estimated amounts.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenues when all of the following conditions exist: a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists in the form of an accepted purchase order; b) delivery has occurred, based on shipping terms, or services have been rendered; c) the Company’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, as documented on the accepted purchase order; and d) collectability is reasonably assured.

 

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Inventory

 

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.  Market is determined by comparison with recent sales or net realizable value. Management reviews the carrying value of inventory in relation to its sales history and industry trends to determine an estimated net realizable value. Changes in economic conditions or customer demand could result in obsolete or slow moving inventory that cannot be sold or must be sold at reduced prices and could result in an inventory reserve. No inventory reserves were considered necessary as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost and principally comprise our iPura systems equipment. Depreciation is computed using the straight line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, all estimated at five years. There are no capitalized leasehold improvements. Substantially all of the iPura™ systems equipment is located in China and Vietnam at December 31, 2012. Accumulated depreciation was $294,114 and $281,430, respectively, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

Long-lived Assets

 

We review long lived assets for events or changes in circumstances that indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value and is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and a charge to operating results.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2012, we impaired one of our iPura™ systems because the system was never installed in Vietnam as intended. The Company does not have any current plans to place the system in service before its theoretical useful life is exceeded. Accordingly, its cost of $231,652 was charged to impairment expense during 2012. There were no impairment charges recorded for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Patents and Trademarks

 

The Company has three U.S. patents that relate to proprietary technologies and has filed additional patent applications in both the U.S. and several foreign countries. The Company has registered the iPura™ brand name in the U.S. and has filed additional applications in several foreign countries for the iPura™ brand name.

 

Costs associated with patents and trademarks are not significant at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

Research and Development Costs

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Purchased materials that do not have an alternative future use and the cost to develop prototypes of production equipment are also expensed. Costs incurred in the fabrication, testing, installation of commercial systems are capitalized as long lived assets.

 

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Income Taxes

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance related to a deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The carrying amounts of our financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and notes payable approximate their fair value as of December 31, 2012 due to their short term nature. The fair value of the Company’s notes payable to related parties approximate their carrying value as the stated interest rates of these instruments reflect rates which are otherwise currently available to the Company.

 

Loss Per Share

 

U.S. GAAP requires presentation of basic earnings (loss) per share (“Basic EPS”) and diluted earnings (loss) per share (“Diluted EPS”). Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing earnings (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution, using the treasury stock method, that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in our earnings. In computing diluted earnings per share, the treasury stock method assumes that outstanding options and warrants are exercised and the proceeds are used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Options and warrants will have a dilutive effect under the treasury stock method only when the average market price of the common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of the options and warrants.

 

There are 9,682,463 and 9,629,106 stock purchase warrants outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which were not used in the computation of loss per share as their effect would be antidilutive.

 

The Company has outstanding Series C Preferred Stock (see Note 7) which carries an undeclared cumulative dividend feature. Cumulative undeclared dividends are $420,560 and $276,700 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Stock-based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for share-based payment arrangements issued to employees using a fair-value based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions.

 

Shares, warrants and options issued to non-employees for services are accounted for at fair value, based on the fair value of instrument issued or the fair value of the services received, whichever is more readily determinable.

 

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Significant Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

Management does not believe any recently issued accounting pronouncements will have a significant future effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements

 

Subsequent Events

 

Management has evaluated events subsequent to December 31, 2012 through the date that the accompanying financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for transactions and other events which may require adjustment of and/or disclosure in such financial statements.

 

3. TRADE AND EQUIPMENT FINANCING DEBT

 

As an alternative to commercial trade financing and factoring, the Company has instituted a program of issuing one year promissory notes, secured by inventory or iPura equipment systems, with annual interest rates from 8.2% to 9.2%. The funds are received and controlled by a third party custodian to be disbursed only for third party costs of inventory. Proceeds from sale of inventory by the Company upon collection are applied prorata to the trade financing debt. At December 31, 2012, the Company owed $1,187,423 in trade financing debt. Individual notes mature on their anniversaries throughout 2013 and based on past renewal activity the Company expects that the majority will be renewed upon maturity. None of this debt is in default.

 

4. CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE OTHER

 

In 2010, the Company borrowed $126,000 from a third party. The note had a one year term and was renewed at its maturity. The note is now due in July 2013, bears annual interest of 9%, is unsecured, and is convertible into common stock at any time at a fixed price of $4.50 per share. An additional $120,000 was borrowed from the same third party in 2010 in two one year notes bearing interest of 5% and 9%, respectively. These notes were renewed at maturity and are now due in June 2013. The original note included 14,000 warrants, have an exercise price of $7.00 per share and a term of 3 years.

 

5. NOTES PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTIES

 

Shareholder loan

 

In 2006, we arranged a 30 day bridge loan in the amount of $350,000 from a non-principal shareholder. The loan bears interest at 8% and is secured by all Company assets, including any intellectual assets. Additional consideration included the issuance of warrants to purchase 35,000 shares of our common stock. The warrants are exercisable at $4.50 per share for two (2) years from the date of repayment. In July 2006, $100,000 of principal was repaid. The remaining balance of $250,000 is due on demand. The loan is guaranteed by the President of the Company.

 

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Director loan

 

In 2006, we arranged for three loans aggregating $290,000 from a Director of the Company. Two of the loans aggregating $190,000 are demand loans and bear interest of 8%. The third loan for $100,000 matured July 18, 2006, and was repaid on its due date. Additional consideration for the three loans was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in August 2006, in the form of warrants to purchase 29,000 shares of common stock. The warrants are exercisable at $4.50 per share for two (2) years from the date of repayment. In August 2006, we arranged for a fourth loan, a six month bridge loan, for $100,000 from the Director bearing interest at 8%. The loan was renewed each subsequent maturity for an additional six months and now matures in May 2013. Such loans aggregating $290,000 are unsecured. In November 2010, for the same 12% interest rate, the Company borrowed an additional $100,000 from such director, due on demand. The loan is unsecured. The current indebtedness to the Director is $390,000.

 

6. SHORT TERM CONVERTIBLE NOTE PAYABLE

 

On November 22, 2010, a stockholder resident in the United Kingdom loaned the Company $1,300,000 on a six month note bearing interest at 18% per year. The note was extended for an additional six months and has been renewed at each maturity for an additional six months. The note is now due in May 2013. The renewal involved issuing a renewal bonus of $58,500, charged to interest expense and paid in shares of common stock at $2.25 per share, to reduce the interest rate to 9% per year. The first six month renewal bonus was paid in November 2011 with the issuance of 26,000 shares, additional 26,000 share issuances were made at each subsequent renewal in May and November 2012. Interest is payable at maturity in shares of Company common stock at the rate of $2.25 per share and is recorded as interest expense ratably as incurred. At the sole option of the lender, the principal may also be converted into shares of Company common stock at the fixed rate of $2.25 per share. The Note is secured by all of the assets of the Company and is subordinate to the 2006 shareholder note of $250,000. Currently, the Company does not have the ability or resources to repay such loans if a demand is made for repayment in full.

 

7. STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

Preferred Stock Issuance

 

We are authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.0001. Of such amount, 8,000,000 shares were designated “Series A” Preferred Stock. There is no Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

Of such 20,000,000 authorized shares, 1,000,000 shares were designated Series B Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.0001. The Series B had preferential rights in liquidation over common stock and was convertible into common stock at a conversion rate of $4.50 per share. In December 2010, the Series B Preferred Stock was converted to Series C Preferred Stock (below) on a share for share basis. There is no Series B Preferred Stock outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

In October 2010, we designated a Series C Preferred Stock and authorized the issuance of 1,500,000 shares at a par value of $0.0001. The Series C has preferential rights in liquidation over common stock at $4.50 per share and is convertible into common stock at a one to one conversion rate. There is mandatory conversion to common stock upon the earlier of certain events or five years. The Series C Preferred Stock bears a dividend of 8% payable in cash upon declaration of the dividend by the Company’s Board of Directors and such accrued dividend shall be payable in cash only in the event working capital requirements permit. Each issued share is accompanied by two warrants to purchase common stock for a period of three years at an exercise price for the greater of $3.00 or 50% of the bid price on an approved public exchange or the most recent private offering price if there is no exchange. At December 31, 2012, there were 399,613 shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.

 

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The cumulative undeclared dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock are $420,560 and $276,700 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Common Stock Issuances

 

In 2011, a total of 853,815 shares of common stock and 185,148 warrants to purchase common stock were issued in private placements for net proceeds of $2,140,301. The private placement of units of one share and one warrant for a price of $3.50 per share continued throughout the year 185,148 units were subscribed and purchased for proceeds of $641,301. The warrant is exercisable for $4.50 per share for a period of 3 years. In January 2011, a shareholder resident in the United Kingdom offered to purchase a large block of stock for a discounted price of $2.25 per share. He purchased 666,666 shares of common stock for $1,500,000. There were no warrants or other compensation involved in this transaction.

 

In 2012, a total of 1,143,151 shares of common stock and 53,357 warrants to purchase common shares were issued in private placements for net proceeds of $2,785,102. 1,087,866 of these shares were issued under the equity subscription described below. The remaining 55,285 shares and the 53,357 warrants were issued in the ongoing private placement of units of one share and either one warrant or one-half warrant for a price of $3.50 per unit. The proceeds of $193,501 were subject to commissions of $8,400 yielding net proceeds of $185,101. The warrants are exercisable for $7.00 per share for a 3 year term.

 

An additional 165,375 shares were issued in 2012 for services, directors fees and note interest. Consultants received 17,947 shares in lieu of cash, 43,428 shares were issued for accrued Directors fees and 104,000 shares for accrued interest. The service shares were valued at $2.39 per share while the accrued interest was converted at the contractual rate of $2.25. The aggregate value charged to expense was $378,883. The accrued interest relates to the short term note in the principal amount of $1,300,000 (described in Note 6) which provides that the interest accrued by paid in common stock at the rate of $2.25 per share. Interest is due every six months on maturity and requires a renewal bonus of $58,500 paid in 26,000 shares.

 

Equity Subscription

 

In April 2012, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement with an existing holder of shares of our Series C Preferred Stock for the purchase of additional shares of common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreement, the stockholder agreed to purchase up to $2.9 million of Common Stock at a purchase price of $2.39 per share.  The initial purchase was for $500,000, and additional purchases were structured as eight monthly installments of $300,000.  Through December 31, 2012, the Company received aggregate proceeds of $2,600,000 and issued 1,087,866 shares of common stock pursuant to this agreement which are included in the common stock issuances noted above. In January 2013, the Company received the final installment of $300,000 and issued 125,523 shares of common stock pursuant to this agreement.

 

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Stock Incentive Plan

 

In November 2006, we adopted a stock incentive plan to incentivize employees and consultants with awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock grants. There are a maximum of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock subject to award under the plan.

 

There were no awards made under the plan in 2012 or 2011. Through December 31, 2012, 1,345,000 shares of common stock have been granted and there remains 1,655,000 shares available for grant under the plan.

 

The shares are fully vested and become transferable upon registration of the shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission or upon the obtainment of a listing in a market initiated by us.

 

Officers and Directors Stock Compensation

 

The Board periodically issues shares and warrants to Directors for specific compensation elements. At December 31, 2012, there were 700,000 warrants outstanding to Officers and Directors exercisable at $5.00 to $7.00, with an extended expiration date of December 31, 2013.

 

The Company’s Directors compensation and expenses are paid in shares of common stock as long as cash flow from operations is negative. Common shares were issued to Directors for accrued compensation in the amount of 43,428 shares in 2012 and 23,554 shares in 2011 valued at $101,989 and $ 52,996, respectively.

 

There were no grants of options or warrants to officers or Directors in 2012 or in 2011.

 

A summary of the status of these compensation arrangements is as follows:

 

   Warrants
For
Shares
   Weighted
Exercise Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010   700,000   $5.57    2.75   $- 
Granted   -    -           
Exercised   -    -           
Forfeited or expired   -    -           
Outstanding at December 31, 2011   700,000   $5.57    1.75   $- 
Granted   -    -           
Exercised   -    -           
Forfeited or expired   -    -           
Outstanding at December 31, 2012   700,000   $5.57           
Exercisable at December 31, 2012   700,000   $5.57    0.75   $- 

 

Warrants

 

Through December 31, 2012, we had issued 9,682,463 warrants, exercisable for various terms at exercise prices of $3.00 to $7.00, in conjunction with sales of common and preferred stock and awards for services, including the 700,000 warrants noted above.

 

In 2011, we extended the expiration date of all warrants to December 31, 2013 without modifying the exercise price. These warrants were issued in conjunction with equity sales.

 

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At December 31, 2012, warrants outstanding were as follows:

 

   Number of Shares
under Warrants
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2010   9,443,958   $5.51 
Warrants granted   185,148    7.00 
Warrants expired   -    - 
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2011   9,629,106   $5.55 
Warrants granted   53,357    7.00 
Warrants expired   -    - 
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2012   9,682,463   $5.56 

 

The following table summarizes information about warrants outstanding at December 31, 2012:

 

Warrants Outstanding and Exercisable 
Number of Shares
Under Warrants
   Exercise Price   Expiration Date   Weighted   Average
Exercise Price
 
 238,506   $7.00    2014-2015   $7.00 
 9,179,957    $3.00-7.50    2013-2015   $5.55 
 64,000   $4.50    (1)   $4.50 
 200,000   $4.50    (2)  $4.50 
 9,682,463             $5.56 
(1)Expires two years after repayment of principal on notes giving rise to the warrants
(2)Warrants expire 2 years after commencement of trading of common shares

 

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Operating Leases

 

We lease our headquarters and warehouse facilities in Hanford, California and an office in Los Gatos, California. We also lease an automobile for an officer and office equipment. Future minimum lease payments required on these non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:

 

Years ended December 31,    Amount 
2013     166,106 
2014     76,103 
2015     19,800 
     $262,009 

 

Facilities rent expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $167,769.

 

9. INCOME TAXES

 

The Company does not have significant income tax expense or benefit from inception through December 31, 2012. The tax net operating losses have resulted in a deferred tax asset with a 100% valuation allowance applied against such asset at December 31, 2012 and 2011. The tax net operating loss carryforward (“NOL”) approximates $36 million at December 31, 2012. Some or all of such NOL may be limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Such NOL’s expire at various dates through 2032.

 

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The income tax effect of temporary differences between financial and tax reporting gives rise to a deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2012 and 2011 as follows:

 

   2012   2011 
Deferred tax asset –NOL’s  $16,834,000   $15,508,000 
Less valuation allowance  $(16,834,000)  $(15,508,000)
Net deferred tax asset  $-   $- 

 

The valuation allowance increased by approximately $530,000 and $1,357,000 during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

A reconciliation of the effective income tax rate to the United States statutory income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 

   2012   2011 
Tax benefit at the U.S. statutory income tax rate   (34.0)%   (34.0)%
Increase in the valuation allowance   34.0%   34.0%
Effective income tax rate   -%   -%

 

The Company’s income tax returns may be subject to examination by federal and state taxing authorities. Because application of tax laws and regulations for many types of transactions is susceptible to varying interpretations, amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements could be changed at a later date upon final determination by taxing authorities. Management does not believe the Company has any uncertain income tax positions that could materially affect its financial statements at both the federal and state jurisdiction levels. The Company’s federal and state income tax returns remain open after filing for 3 years and 4 years, respectively.

 

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