SARATOGA BRANDS INC
S-8, 1996-08-16
DAIRY PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>   1
     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 1996
                            Registration No. 0-19721

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C.
                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                              SARATOGA BRANDS INC.
               (exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)

                   New York                       13-3413467
                 (State of incorporation)    (Federal ID number)

             1835 Swarthmore Avenue
             Lakewood, New Jersey                                     08701
             (Address of Principal Executive Offices)               (Zip Code)

                              Saratoga Brands Inc.
                             1994 Stock Option Plan
                            (Full Title of the Plan)
                                                 With copy to:
              Mr. Scott G. Halperin              W. Raymond Felton, Esq.
              Saratoga Brands Inc.               Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin,
              1835 Swarthmore Avenue             Davis & Himmel
              Lakewood, New Jersey  08701        Metro Corporate Campus I
              (908)363-3800                      P.O. Box 5600
              (Name, address and telephone       Woodbridge, New Jersey  07095
              number of agent for service)       (908)549-5600

Appropriate Date of Commencement of Proposed Offer to Public: From time to after
the effective date of this Registration Statement.

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            |                          | Proposed       | Proposed        |
         Title of proposed                  | Amount                   | offering       | aggregate       | Amount of
         securities to                      | to be                    | price per      | offering        | registration
         be registered                      | Registered (1)           | share (2)      | price(2)        | fee
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      
<S>                                         <C>                       <C>               <C>              <C>


         Common Stock;                      |                          |                |                 |
         $.01 par value                     |                          |                |                 |
         per share                          |    1,000,000 shares      |  $0.96875      |$968,750         |    $334.05
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

1) An undetermined number of additional shares may be issued as a result of
stock dividends, stock splits or other recapitalizations. 2) These shares of
Common Stock represent the shares of Common Stock with respect to which options
may be granted under the 1994 Stock Option Plan. No options have been granted.
The shares are to be offered at prices which are not presently determinable.
Pursuant to Rule 457(h), the option price for these shares is estimated solely
for the purpose of determining the registration fee and is based upon the
closing price of the Common Stock on August 12, 1996 as reported by NASDAQ.

<PAGE>   2
Cross reference sheet showing the location in the Prospectus of information
required to be included in the Prospectus in response to Items of Form S-8.




   Item    Caption or Sub-Caption in Prospectus                       Page
                                                                      ----

   1.      Plan Information                                            3

   2.      Registrant Information and Employee Plan
              Annual Information                                       4

   3.       Description of Securities                                  8

   4.       Incorporation of Documents by Reference                    7

   5.       Interests of Named Experts and Counsel                     N/A

   6.       Indemnification of Officers and Directors                  8

   7.       Exemption From Registration Claimed                        N/A

   8.       Exhibits                                                   8

   9.       Undertakings                                               9

<PAGE>   3
                                   PROSPECTUS

          THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
            SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION
          PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
              REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                              SARATOGA BRANDS INC.
                             1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                        1,000,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                           ($.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE)
  

         Options for shares (the "Shares") of the common stock, $.01 par value
per share (the "Common Stock") of Saratoga Brands Inc. (the "Company") covered
by this Prospectus have been, and may in the future be, granted by the Company
to employees (including officers, directors and consultants) of the Company
under the 1994 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). Each employee receiving an option
is offered the opportunity to purchase the number of Shares specified in such
option at a price and on terms set forth herein.

         The net proceeds of the offering covered hereby are not now
determinable as such proceeds will depend upon the number of shares offered, the
number of shares purchased, prevailing market prices and expenses incurred.
However, the maximum gross proceeds will be $968,750.

         It is advisable for an optionee to consult with legal counsel
concerning the securities and tax law implications of his acquisition or
disposition of shares under the Plan.

         Any officer, director or beneficial owner of more than 10% of the
Company's common stock who holds an option under the Plan should consider the
applicability of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
in connection with the disposition of any of the Company's common stock acquired
thereby.

         The principal executive office of the Company is located at 1835
Swarthmore Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701 and the telephone number of such
office is (908)363-3800.


                The date of this Prospectus is August 13, 1996.


                                       1
<PAGE>   4
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
                                                                 
                  AVAILABLE INFORMATION                                       3

                  INTRODUCTION                                                4
                  PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN                      4

                  DESCRIPTION OF OPTIONS AND TAX STATUS                       4
                  Award of options                                            5
                  Eligibility                                                 5
                  Termination and Amendment                                   5
                  Option Price                                                5
                  Nontransferability                                          5
                  Federal Income Tax Treatment of Incentive and
                                            Non-Qualified Stock Options       5

                  RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF COMMON STOCK                      6

                  DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK                                6
                  General                                                     6
                  Common Stock                                                6
                  Registrar and Transfer Agent                                7

                  LEGAL MATTERS                                               7

                  INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS                   7

                  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION                                      7

                  INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE             7









                                        2
<PAGE>   5
                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION




         The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith files reports and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"). Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the
Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, Washington, D.C.
20049 and at the following regional offices of the Commission: New York Regional
Office, Room 1400, 75 Park Place, New York, New York 10007; and Chicago Regional
Office, Room 3190, Northwest Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60611. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission in Washington, D.C. (at the address
above) at prescribed rates.

         The Common Stock is traded in the small-cap market on the Automated
Quotation System of the National Association of Securities Dealers (symbol
"STGA"). Copies of all of the Company's reports, proxy statements, and other
information filed with the Commission are also filed with the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and can be inspected at the appropriate
office of such association.

         This Prospectus omits certain information contained in the Registration
Statement on file with the Commission with respect to the Shares offered hereby.
The information omitted may be obtained from the Commission's office in
Washington, D.C. (at the address above) upon payment of the fees prescribed by
the rules and regulations of the Commission, or examined there without charge.

         The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy
of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral request of any
such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part (excluding
exhibits to such documents unless specifically incorporated by reference).
Requests for such copies should be directed to the Corporate Secretary, Saratoga
Brands Inc., 1835 Swarthmore Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701 (908)363-3800.

         The Company furnishes its shareholders with annual reports containing
audited financial statements.






















                                        3
<PAGE>   6
                                  INTRODUCTION


         The Company has adopted the Plan pursuant to a resolution of its Board
of Directors effective March 16, 1994 and approval by its shareholders on May
24, 1994. Under the Plan, Shares may be offered to employees of the Company in
accordance with the Plan as described herein. These offers are, or will be, made
at the prices and on the terms and conditions contained in the respective stock
option agreements between the Company and the recipients of stock option grants.

         The Company's principal executive offices and telephone number are set
forth on the Cover Page of this Prospectus.

         Following is a summary of the Plan, which is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the Plan and certain other agreements which have been filed
previously with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are incorporated by
reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to this Prospectus.

PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN


         The Company believes that the Plan provides valuable incentives for
employees, consultants and advisors of the Company by providing an opportunity
for investment in the Company's Common Stock, as an inducement for such persons
to increase their efforts to make the Company's business more successful. In
accordance with this belief, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the
Plan, which was duly approved by the shareholders of the Company on May 24,
1994.

         Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, as amended, 900,000 Shares are
reserved for issuance thereunder. In the event there is any change in the number
of issued shares of the Company without new consideration to the Company (such
as by stock dividends or stock splits) or in the event that the number of
outstanding shares of the Company is changed into or exchanged for a different
number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or of
another corporation, whether through reorganization, recapitalization, split-up,
combination of shares, merger or consolidation, the number of Shares reserved
for issuance under the Plan, the number of Shares subject to any outstanding
award shall be appropriately adjusted. In the event there is any change in the
number or kind of outstanding shares of Common Stock or of any shares or other
securities into which such shares of Common Stock have been changed or
exchanged, other than the transactions specified in this paragraph, equitable
adjustment in the options may be made in the sole discretion of the Company's
Board of Directors.

         The Company will provide reports to participating employees as to the
amount and status of their accounts upon request.

         The Plan is administered by the Company's Board of Directors or by the
Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the Company's Board of Directors
which is composed of not less than two members of the Board, each of whom must
be a "disinterested person" as used in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. The Company does not currently have any disinterested directors.


DESCRIPTION OF OPTIONS AND TAX STATUS

         The Plan provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options. A
description of these options and certain federal income tax aspects associated
therewith are set forth below. Because tax results may vary due to individual
circumstances, each participant in the Plan is urged to consult his or her
personal tax advisor with respect to the federal and state tax consequences of
the receipt of an option or the sale of stock received upon the exercise
thereof.


                                        4
<PAGE>   7
                                Award of Options

         Options may be granted under the Plan to all employees (including
employees who are officers and/or directors), consultants and advisors of the
Company. There is no specific limitation on the number of Shares with respect to
which options may be granted to any individual under the Plan.

Eligibility

         Options to purchase shares shall be granted only to employees (the term
"employee" shall include officers as well as other key employees of the Company,
and shall include directors who are also employees of the Company), consultants
and advisors to the Company; it being the intention of the Company that awards
shall be made only to persons who satisfy the definition of "employee" contained
in the General Instruction A to Form S-8.

Termination and Amendment

         The Board may amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan at any time
provided that no such modification shall impair the rights of any recipient
under any award.

Option Price

         The Plan provides that the option price with respect to each option
will be determined by the Plan's administrators, but, in the case of incentive
stock options, shall not be less than 100% (110%, in the case of incentive stock
options granted to 10% Shareholders) of the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the date the option is granted. Payment of the option price shall be
made in cash or certified check.

Nontransferability

         Each option granted under the Plan is not transferable by the holder
except by will or the laws of descent and distribution of the State wherein the
holder is domiciled at the time of his death.

Federal Income Tax Treatment of Non-Qualified Stock Options

         Currently, an employee will not be deemed to have realized income upon
the grant of a non-qualified stock option unless the option has a readily
ascertainable fair market value at the time it is granted. Generally, an
employee will recognize ordinary income upon the exercise of a non-qualified
stock option (or, if the stock subject to the option is restricted within the
meaning of Code Section 83 and the employee does not otherwise elect to
recognize income upon the exercise of the stock option, at such time as the
Shares become transferable or are no longer subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture) in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value
of the Shares purchased, at the time of exercise, over the exercise price. The
Company will be entitled to deduct an amount equal to the amount included as
income by the employee for the Company's taxable year which includes the close
of the employee's taxable year in which the income is included by the employee.

         An employee will also not be deemed to have received income upon the
grant of an incentive stock option or, except as noted below, upon the exercise
of such option. Unless shares acquired upon exercise are disposed of within two
years of the date of grant or within one year of exercise, upon the sale of such
shares, the optionee will generally recognize capital gain or loss measured by
the difference between the amount realized on the sale of the price paid for the
shares. If a sale is made prior to either of such dates, an optionee's gain on
the sale of the shares will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the
lesser of the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of
exercise over the option price and the excess of the amount realized on the sale
of stock over the option price. The Company will be allowed a deduction at the
time of sale in the amount of the ordinary income recognized by the optionee.
The balance of any gain realized will be treated as long-term or short-term
capital gain, depending upon the length of time the shares were held by the
optionee.

                                        5
<PAGE>   8
         Generally, the excess of the fair market value of an incentive stock
option at the time of exercise (or, if the stock subject to the option is
restricted within the meaning of Code Section 83, at such time as the shares
become transferable or are not longer subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture), over the option price constitutes an item of tax preference for
purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Thus, under certain circumstances, the
exercise of an incentive stock option will result in a tax at the time of
exercise.

         There can be no assurance that the Code or the Regulations promulgated
thereunder will not be amended to change these tax consequences.

         Reference should be made to the applicable provisions of the Code and
to the Regulations promulgated thereunder for more detailed information as to
the tax treatment of options granted pursuant to the Plan. Optionees should
consult their tax advisors with specific reference to their own tax situations
and with regard to potential changes in the applicable laws.


RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF COMMON STOCK


         While the Plan does not place restrictions on resales of Shares
acquired thereunder, Shares acquired under the Plan by an "affiliate" as that
term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), may only be resold pursuant to the registration requirements of the Act,
Rule 144, or another applicable exemption therefrom. Generally, sales of
securities, including Shares, are subject to the anti-fraud provisions contained
in federal and state securities laws. Acquisitions (including acquisitions under
the Plan)and dispositions of Shares by an officer, director or certain
affiliates of the Company within any six-month period may give rise to the right
of the Company to recapture any profit from such transactions pursuant to
Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

         It is advisable for a participant to consult with legal counsel
concerning the securities law implications of his exercise of options and his
acquisition or disposition of Shares under the Plan.


DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

GENERAL

         The Company's authorized common stock consists of 25,000,000 shares,
par value $.01 per share. On May 14, 1996, 5,691,791 shares of Common Stock were
outstanding.

COMMON STOCK

         Each share of Common Stock has one vote on all matters presented to the
shareholders. Since the Common Stock does not have cumulative voting rights, the
holders of more than 50% of the shares may, if they choose to do so, elect all
the directors and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will not
be able to elect any of the Company's directors. The holders of Common Stock are
entitled to dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors and are
entitled on liquidation to all assets remaining after payment of or provision
for claims against the Company. The Common Stock has no preemptive or other
subscription rights. There are no conversion rights or sinking fund provisions
with respect to the Common Stock.






                                        6
<PAGE>   9
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT

         The registrar and transfer agent for the Company's Common Stock is
Idata, Inc., 14675 Midway Road, Suite 221, Dallas Texas 75244.


LEGAL MATTERS

         The validity of the issuance of the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin,
Davis & Himmel, Woodbridge, New Jersey.


INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

         Insofar as indemnification by the Registrant for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrants pursuant to the provisions referenced in
this Registration Statement or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other that the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered hereunder, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expresses in the securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


         This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement filed by
the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under
the Securities Act of 1933. This Prospectus omits certain of the information
contained in the Registration Statement and reference is hereby made to the
Registration Statement and to the exhibits relating thereto for further
information with respect to the Company and the securities to which this
Prospectus relates. Statements herein contained concerning the provisions of any
document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made
to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.


PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 3.  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

         The following documents filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference: (a) The Company's
latest Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.



                                        7
<PAGE>   10
                  (b) All other reports, if any, filed by the Company pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for periods since
December 31, 1995.

         All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 
13(a), 13(c) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered
have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part hereof from
the date of filing of such documents.


Item 4.  Description of Securities

         Information regarding the Company's securities is included on Page 6 of
the Prospectus comprising part of this Registration Statement.

Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel

         Not applicable.

Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers

         Information regarding indemnification of directors and officers is
included on page 7 of the Prospectus comprising a part of this Registration
Statement.

Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed

         Not Applicable.

Item 8.  Exhibits

         The following are filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement:

Exhibits

         4        1994 Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference to the
                  Registrant's registration statement filed on Form S-8 with the
                  Securities and Exchange Commission and dated June 14, 1995.

         5        Opinion of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin, Davis & Himmel as to
                  the shares of Common Stock being registered.

         24.1     Consent of Broza Block and Rubino

         24.3     Consent of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin, Davis & Himmel
                  (contained in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5).








                                        8
<PAGE>   11
Item 9.  Undertakings

         The registrant of the securities being registered hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made
of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this
Registration Statement:

                  (i) to include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of
                  the Securities Act of 1933;

                  (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
                  after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the
                  most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
                  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
                  change in the information set forth in the Registration
                  Statement;

                  (iii) to include any material information with respect to the
         plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
         statement or any material change to such information in the
         Registration Statement.

          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering; provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs
(1) and (2) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement.

         (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's Annual Report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

         (5) To deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each
employee to whom the prospectus is sent or given, a copy of the Registrant's
Annual Report to stockholders for its last fiscal year, unless such employee
otherwise has received a copy of such report, in which case the registrant shall
state in the prospectus that it will promptly furnish, without charge, a copy of
such report, on written request of the employees. If the last fiscal year of the
registrant has ended within 120 days prior to the use of the prospectus, the
Annual Report of the registrant for the preceding fiscal year may be so
delivered, but within such 120-day period the Annual Report for the last fiscal
year will be furnished to each employee.

         (6)  To transmit or cause to be transmitted to all employees
              participating in the Plan who do not otherwise receive such
              material as stockholders of the registrant, at the time and in the
              manner such material is sent to its stockholders, copies of all
              reports, proxy statements and other communications distributed to
              its stockholders generally.







                                        9


                                      
<PAGE>   12
                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the Township of Lakewood, State of New Jersey, on the 13th day of
August, 1996.

                           SARATOGA BRANDS INC.


                           By:      /s/Scott G. Halperin
                                    ------------------------
                                    Scott G. Halperin
                                    Chief Executive Officer
                                    Treasurer,  Director



                           By:      /s/ Barry Witz 
                                    ------------------------
                                    Barry Witz
                                    Chairman of the Board




                                       10


                                      
<PAGE>   13
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Scott G. Halperin, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
other regulatory authority, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:


Signature                       Title                           Date
- ---------                       -----                           ----

/s/ Scott G. Halperin
Scott G. Halperin               Chief Executive Officer         August 13, 1996
                                Treasurer
                                Director



/s/ Barry Witz
Barry Witz                      Chairman of the Board          August 13, 1996



                                       11

<PAGE>   1
                             (Attorneys Letterhead)
                 (Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin, Davis & Himmel)
                              (Councellors at Law)
                          (Metro Corporate Campus One)
                                 (P.O. Box 5600)
                       (Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095-0988)


                                    EXHIBIT 5

August 13, 1996

Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporate Finance
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

         Re:      Saratoga Brands, Inc.

Gentlemen:

         Saratoga Brands Inc. (the "Company") is filing a Registration Statement
on Form S-8, covering the registration of 1,000,000 shares of the common stock
of the Company, par value $.01 per share, for an offering to employees pursuant
to its 1994 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). We have been asked to issue an
opinion as to whether the securities being registered will, when sold, be
legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We have examined the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, as
amended to date, and other corporate records of the Company and have made such
other investigations as we have deemed necessary in connection with the opinions
hereinafter set forth. We have relied, to the extent we deem such reliance
proper, upon certain factual representations given in certificates of officers
of the Company, and, although we have not independently verified certain of the
facts contained therein, nothing has come to our attention which would cause us
to believe that any of the statements contained therein are not true or are
misleading.

         In making the aforesaid examinations, we have assumed: (i) The
genuineness of all signatures and the conformity to original documents of all
copies furnished to us; (ii) that the corporate records of the Company furnished
to us constitute all of the existing corporate records of the company and
include all corporate proceedings taken by it; (iii) that the securities being
registered will, when sold, be sold for an amount not less than the sale price
authorized by action of the Board of Directors of the Company or its designated
representatives, and in no event for less than the price required by the Plan
and by applicable state law. We have assumed for purposes of this opinion that
the laws of the State of New York are identical to those of New Jersey, which is
the only state in which we are licensed to practice law.

         Based solely upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion
that the securities being registered by the Company will, when sold, be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
aforesaid Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the
caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus.


                               Very truly yours,


                               /s/ Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin, Davis & Himmel

<PAGE>   1
                            (Accountants Letterhead)
                             (Broza, Block & Rubino)
                      (Certified Public Accountants, P.A.)
                                  (Grand Plaza)
                               (601 Grand Avenue)
                         (Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712)
                           ((908)774-0100 Fax 774-7242


                                  Exhibit 24.1






                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) pertaining to the 1994 Stock Option Plan of Saratoga Brands Inc. of our
report dated March 31, 1996, with respect to the 1996 and 1995 financial
statements and schedules of Saratoga Brands Inc. and Subsidiaries included in
its Annual Report (Form 10-KSB) for the year ended December 31, 1995.


/s/ BROZA, BLOCK & RUBINO
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BROZA, BLOCK & RUBINO
Certified Public Accountants

August 13, 1996



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