| Join Our List |
 |
|
|
 The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten by Focus on Energy | | |
 |
| Senate Food Safety Vote May Include BPA Ban | | |
The U.S.Senate is expected to vote soon on S. 510, the food safety bill, and may include an amendment banning the use of BPA in food packaging.
Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-CA., has signaled that she plans to offer an amendment similar to her stand alone BPA ban bill, S. 593, when the food safety bill is debated on the Senate floor.
MWFPA and a coalition of businesses have opposed efforts to ban BPA at the federal level because they are based on faulty science. Members should contact their U.S. Senators and urge them to oppose any amendment to the food safety bill that would ban BPA.
To view of summary of Feinstein's BPA ban bill, click here.
|
| FDA Begins Effort to Limit Salt in Food Products | | |
The FDA is planning to launch a new salt-limit initiative later this year to help Americans reduce their salt intake. The effort could result in the first legal limits on the amount of salt allowed in processed foods.
The FDA is planning to work with the food industry and health experts to reduce sodium gradually over a period of years to allow Americans to adjust to a less salty diet. FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said the FDA believes it "can achieve some substantial voluntary reductions."
Top of page |
| Tax Credit Clears WI Legislature With Amendment | |
The WI Legislature enacted the food processor modernization tax credit on Thursday. The Senate added an amendment that would disqualify a facility from receiving the credit if it were found to have hired illegal immigrants.
The bill (AB 757)passed the Assembly on April 13, 2010, on a vote of 92-5 and passed the Senate on April 20, 2010, on a vote of 31-2. It now goes to the Governor's desk for his signature.
As enacted, an owner, or company may recieve an income tax credit for 10 percent of the amount paid in a taxable year for food processing plant or warehouse modernization or expansion. The maximum total credits available is set at $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2009-10 and $1,200,000 in fiscal year 2010-11. For fiscal year 2011-12, and in each year thereafter, the maximum total amount of credits is set at $700,000.
|
| WI Global Warming Bill Lacks Energy to Pass | |
The MWFPA opposed global warming bill (SB 450/AB 649)died Thursday in the WI Legislature. The measure was on the State Assembly's Tuesday calendar and was later moved to Thursday's calendar. However, it was not debated or voted on prior to the end of the legisaltive session.
This energy bill was being advanced under the cloak of job-creation, but predictions were it would significantly drive up utility rates for businesses and ultimately cost jobs.
Thanks to all members for their efforts to defeat this costly piece of legislation.
|
| WI Groundwater Bill Sinks | |
The MWFPA opposed groundwater bill died Thursday with the completion of the WI legislative session. The measure never reached the floor for debate. MWFPA members spent time at the Capitol actively lobbying in opposition to the measure in March.
AB 844/SB 620 gave the DNR excessive regulatory powers over groundwater usage and high-capacity wells. This could have created substantial problems for employers and agriculture in our state.
Thanks to all those who particpated by contacting their legislators and voicing the industry's opposition to these bills.
|
| Strategic Session Focuses on Future | |
On April 13 MWFPA conducted a strategic planning session to identify key issues and
Members strategize about the future during the April planning session. | goals that the Association should address in the near future. The MWFPA Board of Directors and members of the Associate Member Organization Committee were invited to participate.
The session was facilitated by Judy Whalen of the Whalen Center for Strategic Change. A summary of the visioning session can be obtained by MWFPA members by contacting Nick George at Nick.George@mwfpa.org or by calling 608-255-9946.
Thanks to all those who took time from their busy schedules to particpate!
|
| MWFPA Annual Member's Golf Outing | |
Spring is finally here and that means it's time to sign up for the MWFPA Member's Golf Outing! An evening reception on June 2nd is planned at the Hilton Garden Inn, then join us on June 3rd at Trapper's Turn in Wisconsin  Dells, WI for a day of golf, lunch and cash prizes.
For more information and online sign-up or to download the pdf version of the Registration Form visit our website, www.mwfpa.org.
|
| MWFPA, ACI Partner on Food Safety Symposium | | MWFPA and the American Conference Institute are providing a forum for in-house regulatory, food safety and compliance officers to benchmark current compliance strategies against those of your peers.
 The conference will feature an industry-leading faculty from Cargill, Del Monte, Dr Pepper, Snapple, Frito-Lay, H.J. Heinz, McDonald's, Nestle, Nestle Purina Petcare, Smithfield Foods, Tyson Foods, Whole Foods Market, Unilver, and Yum! Brands. They will provide strategies and best practices for creating (or updating) your internal policies and procedures that will minimize your company's risk of non-compliance, litigation exposure and reputational damage that often accompany today's food crises.
For more information, visit here . MWFPA members are entitled to a discounted rate when registering. Be sure to reference discount code "MWFPA".
|
|
| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
April 26-27, 2010: Dryer Technology hosted by the University of Wisconsin College of Engineering, Dept. of Engineering Professional Development, this program provides a detailed introductory course about the fundamentals of drying, process design of dryers, methods for improving dryer efficiency and reducing costs in the process industries. To enroll click here.
_________________________________________________________
May 25, 2010: Energy, Water, and Food Safety: A Food Processing Symposium Attendees to this University of Minnesota symposium will learn about opportunities for improving processes to further ensure food safety as well as to reduce water use, energy use, and waste water loading. This is a joint symposium hosted by the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP). For more information, click here.
_________________________________________________________
June 3, 2010: MWFPA Annual Member's Golf Outing Plan to join us at Trappers Turn in Wisconsin Dells, WI. More information and online sign-up is available on our website, www.mwfpa.org.
________________________________________________________
June 8-9, 2010: GMA Food Labeling Workshop Designed to teach food company personnel and others involved in label design the skills they need, whether they are responsible for labeling compliance, food product marketing or product development. Click here for more information.
________________________________________________________
June 22-24, 2010: How to Implement and Sustain Lean in Process Industries: Fundamentals of Lean --Part 2, click here for additional information.
_______________________________________________________________
June 28-29, 2010: Advanced Summit on Food Safety Regulatory Compliance, Millennium Knickbocker Hotel, Chicago, IL. MWFPA and the American Conference Institute are providing a forum for in-house regulatory and government affairs, food safety and compliance officers. This conference will put relevant stakeholders in the food industry - both in-house and government - in one place for two days of knowledge-sharing, policy shaping and strategy development. To learn more or to register, click here.
_______________________________________________________________
Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2010: 106th MWFPA Annual Convention and 83rd Processing Crops Conference Mark your calendar for next year's annual convention, to be held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wis.
|
Sponsor The MWFPA Bulletin!
By becoming a sponsor of the MWFPA Bulletin, your banner will be viewed by a very targeted group of persons, firms and corporations that provide technology, logistics, ingredients and packaging to the food processing industry.
|
| | |
|
This newsletter is published periodically as developments warrant, and is intended for a general audience of manufacturers and suppliers of food and agricultural products. |
|
|
