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 The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Focus on Energy | | |
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Food Safety Bill Compromise Reached, BPA Amendment Possible | |
A bipartisan food safety compromise was released in the U.S. Senate on August 12. Missing from the 225-page managers package were two hot button amendments discussed in previous issues of the MWFPA News Bulletin: a BPA ban spearheaded by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and a provision to ease the regulatory burden on small farmers authored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT).
 Feinstein said that though she did not succeed in adding language to ban BPA in food packaging, she plans to introduce an amendment on the floor to ban the chemical from being used in baby bottles, sippy cups, baby food, and infant formula containers.
Lawmakers who participated in crafting the compromise bill said they intend to bring the bill to the floor "as soon as possible." That would mean after the legislative recess comes to an end next month. The House passed its version of food-safety legislation in July 2009.
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Energy Bill Introduced | |
Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Spill Accountability Act. As previously reported in the MWFPA News Bulletin, the bill does not contain a renewable energy standard or controls on GHG emissions.
Twenty-seven senators have written to Reid asking that "the strongest possible" Renewable Electricity Standard be included in energy legislation brought to the floor this summer. The letter's signatories included Democratic senators Amy Klobuchar (MN), Al Franken (MN), and Russ Feingold (WI).
Meanwhile, Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) introduced legislation that would require an affirmative vote by 67 senators before the Senate could consider a conference package with cap-and-trade provisions unless the Senate has previously passed legislation with such a program.
MWFPA continues to monitor the situation on Capitol Hill. It has opposed efforts at both the state and federal level to enact GHG emission standards that fail to recognize the necessary role of fossil-based fuels in our energy policies. Top of page |
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Federal Legislation Would Require More E. Coli Testing | | |
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EPA Affirms Validity Of Climate Change | |
The U.S.Envirionmental Protection Agency (EPA) re-affirmed its 2009 determination that climate change is real, is caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, and threatens human health and the environment, by rejecting 10 petitions for reconsideration.
The petitions raised questions about the validity of the data relied on by the EPA in light of emails released to the public showing scientists at a climate-research center at Britain's University of East Anglia discussing problems with their own data, and devising plans to silence critics. The EPA alluded to a number of investigations clearing the researchers and said the emails revealed only "a candid discussion of scientists."
The EPA did note errors in a United Nations report on climate change that it had relied upon. However, it said that none of the errors brought into question the overall direction of climate science.
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EPA To Hold Listening Sessions On Water Quality Standards | |
The EPA recently announced that it will hold public listening sessions on potential changes to the water quality standards regulation on August 24 and 26, 2010.
Potential revisions include strengthening protection for water bodies with water quality that already exceeds or meet the interim goals of the Clean Water Act; ensuring that standards reflect a continued commitment to these goals wherever attainable; improving transparency of regulatory decisions; and strengthening federal oversight.
Water quality standards are the foundation of the water quality-based approach to pollution control, including Total Maximum Daily Loads and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. Standards are also a fundamental component of watershed management. Top of page |
| WI Wind Siting Council Issues Recommendations | |
Last week the WI Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) received a final report from the Wind Siting Council outlining recommendations for the PSC to use as they develop final rules to site and permit wind farms. The Council was appointed by the PSC.
As part of the ongoing rulemaking process, the PSC issued a proposed wind siting rule draft in May, 2010, and accepted public comments through July 7, 2010. During that time, MWFPA expressed its concern about placing wind turbines in intense vegetable growing areas. You can view the Council recommendations here. MWFPA's comments are here.
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| Dayton Dem's Nominee For Minnesota Governor | |
Former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton won the Democratic nomination for Minnesota Governor, besting House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher by less than 7,000 votes out of more than 440,000 cast, and former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza. Kelliher was the state party convention's officially-endorsed candidate in the primary. It was the closest DFL primary since 1994.
Dayton will now face Republican state Rep. Tom Emmer and Independence Party candidate Tom Horner in the general election. Although Minnesota is a Democratic-leaning state, a Dem has not won a gubernatorial election since 1986.
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| Register Now For MWFPA Convention! | |
The MWFPA 106th Annual Convention and 83rd Food Processing Crops Conference will be held Tuesday, November 30, 2010 through Thursday, December 2, 2010 at the Green Bay, Wisconsin, KI Convention Center. The preliminary convention agenda is below. Additional speakers are being added. A full agenda will soon be available.
 This three-day event will feature a full program of educational seminars, high level industry and government keynote speakers, break-out sessions, networking events and a resource-rich trade show exhibition with over 140 exhibitors.
Exhibitor registration is now open -- first round booth lottery remains open until Sept. 13. After that, first come, first serve.
Exhibitor and General registration and convention information is available on our website
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
- MWFPA Board Meeting
- Exhibitor Check In
- Registration Open
- Processing Crops Conference Begins
- All Industry Reception -- Lambeau Field Antrium
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
- Convention and Trade Show Begins
- Keynote Speaker -- Elizabeth Pavonka, president of the Produce For Better Health Foundation
- Motivational Speaker -- Santana Dotson, retired defensive tackle, Green Bay Packers
- Registration Continues
- Processing Crops Conference Continues
- Chairman's Reception -- Hotel Sierra
Thursday, December 2, 2010
- Convention and Trade Show Continues
- Safety Breakfast -- Economist & Futurist Dr. Jay Lehr
- Lunch Speaker -- Tim Walkoe, Chicago Comedian
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| MWFPA Cosponsors Food-Borne Illness Forum | |
MWFPA is proud to be a cosponsor of the American Conference Institute's 4th National Forum on Food-Borne Illness Litigation to be held October 27-28, 2010 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, IL.
 Members will obtain highly-specialized, practical information from leading food-borne illness litigators and other experts on how to respond to heightened litigation exposure created by emerging risks in the food supply chain.
They will also learn to minimize reputational damage and preserve the corporate brand when faced with a high-profile food crisis situation. See the forum web page for registration details.
MWFPA members are entitled to a $400 discount off the full price (pay $1795 instead of $2195) by using a discount code when registering. Members wishing to use the code should contact the MWFPA office.
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Canadian Sodium Report Issued | |
The Canadian Sodium Working Group (SWG) has released a report
The strategy contains six overarching and 27 specific recommendations focused on reducing sodium levels in processed food products and foods sold in restaurant and food service establishments; educating consumers, industry, health professionals, and other key stakeholders; and undertaking new research. In particular, the report urges (i) "published sodium reduction targets for foods"; (ii) "defined timelines"; (iii) "a mechanism for public commitment by industry to the targets"; and (iv) "a plan for monitoring progress by a body other than the food industry."
What, if any, impact these recommendations will have on regulators in the U.S. remains to be seen.
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Study Shows Storage Temperatures Influence E. Coli | | |
A study published in the Journal of Food Science indicates that commercially packaged lettuce salads stored at 5°C allowed E. coli to survive, but limited its growth, whereas storage at 12°C facilitated the proliferation of the pathogen.
Thus, maintaining storage temperature at 5°C or below is critical to prevent pathogen proliferation and mitigate food safety risks.
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Great Lakes Region To Be 2010 Election Battleground | |
After decades in which the center of American political gravity has moved south and west, the Great Lakes have become the fresh battleground in the 2010 election according to columnist Chuck Raasch in the Appleton Post-Crescent.
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
August 18, 2010: Do-It-Yourself Spoilage Analysis Webinar: Experts at GMA present a webinar to educate members of the processed food industry about common spoilage issues and how to best identify them in the laboratory. Register Today!
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September 15-17, 2010: Process Hazard Analysis, Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton St., Madison, Wis. Attendees to this UW-Madison, Dept. of Engineering sponsored seminar will learn factors that will improve their ability to conduct high-performance PHAs. This will allow attendees to identify weaknesses in both the design and operation that could lead to accidental releases in their ammonia refrigeration systems. For more information visit here.
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September 20-24, 2010: Design of Ammonia Refrigeration Systems, Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., Madison, WI. The UW-Madison Department of Engineering presents a practical, hands-on course for owners, designers, contractors, consulting engineers and others interested in industrial refrigeration system design guidelines and practices. For additional information and registration, go to http://epd.engr.wisc.edu/webK879.
_________________________________________________________________ October 4-5, 2010: Dryer Technology, Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton St., Madison, Wis. The UW-Madison Department of Engineering provides a practical course covering continuous dryers including dryer operation, improving efficiency and reducing energy costs. For more information and to enroll, click here.
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October 6, 2010: Atomization and Spray Technology; Focus on Spray Drying, Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton St., Madison, Wis. The UW-Madison Department of Engineering provides an opportunity to discuss and explore innovations and practical solutions to your atomization applications. Enroll now!
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October 6-7, 2010: Food Labeling: Complying with Regulatory Requirements for the Labeling of Packaged Foods Workshop, Washington, D.C. GMA staff experts in food labeling and nutrition will teach food company personnel the food labeling skills they need, whether they are responsible for labeling compliance, food product marketing or product development. Topics include: general statutory authorities and rules governing all required label elements, special labeling provisions, information about food label claims and the latest developments on food labeling rules. For more information and to register, click here.
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October 6-8, 2010: Introduction to Ammonia Refrigeration Systems, Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., Madison, Wis., The UW-Madison Department of Engineering invites you to discover why ammonia is the refrigerant of choice for industrial refrigeration systems. The course will assist you to understand the principles of ammonia systems, equipment use and best practices for safety and operations. To learn more and enroll, click here.
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October 19-20, 2010: Evaporators: Designing, Evaluating, and Operating, Madison Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton St., Madison, WI. Attend this detailed introductory course sponsored by the UW-Madison, Dept. of Engineering to learn about the fundamentals of evaporation and evaporators, the process design of evaporators and methods for improving evaporator efficiency. For additional information and registration, click here.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is published twice monthly and as developments warrant, and is intended for a general audience of manufacturers and suppliers of food and agricultural products. |
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