PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Pinnacle Foods returned to profitability during fiscal 2012 as the company experienced less in charges than during the previous year.

Net earnings for the year ended Dec. 30, 2012, were $52,519,000, which compared with a loss of $46,914,000 during the previous year. Sales for the year were $2,478,485,000, nearly flat compared with $2,469,562,000 during fiscal 2011.

During the year the company faced $66 million in pre-tax charges on restructuring and refinancing. In fiscal 2011, the company faced $156 million in after-tax charges related to impairments, restructuring and a legal settlement.

“We posted solid performance in the fourth quarter by delivering a 3% increase in adjusted EBITDA,” said Bob Gamgort, chief executive officer. “In a food industry environment that is showing some signs of improving, we generated share growth on more than half of our portfolio, driving 4% net sales growth on our North America retail business. Further, we expanded gross margin, excluding restructuring, as inflation moderated and our productivity initiatives accelerated.”