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 The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Focus on Energy | | |
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| Attempt To Ban BPA Is Back | | |
As expected, federal legislation has been introduced banning the use of BPA. Representative Edward Markey (D-Mass.) has introduced legislation that seeks to ban BPA in all reusable containers as well as in the plastic lining of canned foods and disposable containers. The measure would also mandate that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) look at other substances in beverage and food containers, limiting use if the agency finds that they present a health risk.
In the past two Congresses, Markey has been involved in attempts to ban BPA. In July 2009, he added a provision to the House-passed version of the Food Safety Enhancement Act, directing the FDA to evaluate the safety of BPA and report both its findings and its plans to address them. However, no BPA provision was included in the final version of the food safety bill that was signed into law.
MWFPA continues to oppose such legislation based on sound, scientific research from around the world that has confirmed that while BPA is present in foods, levels detected are so low as to pose no health risk.
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| MN Advances Regulatory Reforms | |
The MN House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing today on HF 1, a bill requiring MN state agencies to respond more quickly to business permit applications. The measure focuses on three major points:
- Establish a 150-day goal for issuing permits at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Department of Natural Resources. A similar guideline is in place at the Department of Agriculture.
- Move the appeal of an environmental review decision from district court directly to the Court of Appeals.
- Allow the proposer of a project - rather than the responsible governmental unit - to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. The government unit still would review and approve the EIS.
On January 24, Governor Dayton announced adoption of an executive order directing his commissioners of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Pollution Control Agency (PCA)
to "accelerate and simplify environmental review and permitting". The Commissioners are also directed to establish a goal for each of their agencies of deciding on applications for environmental or natural resources permits within 150 days of when the project application is deemed complete.
HF 1 is supported by MWFPA, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council. The bill's companion, SF 42, was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee yesterday.
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| Ag Chairs Take the Reigns In MN | |
The 87th session of the Minnesota legislature is underway and new House and Senate Republican leadership means new committee chairs.
In the House, Rep. Rod Hamilton takes over as chair of the Ag & Rural Development Policy and Finance Committee. Rep. Hamilton is a pork producer from Mountain Lake who is serving his fourth term in the Minnesota House. Hamilton also serves on the Health and Human Services Finance, Rules and Legislative Administration and Ways and Means committees. He also serves as the House Majority Whip, the third most powerful leadership position within the Republican Caucus.
Sen. Doug Magnus, a crop farmer from Slayton, is the chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies Committee. This is his first term in the Senate, but he has served four terms in the Minnesota House. Sen. Magnus also serves on the Capital Investment, Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications and Finance committees.
The number one challenge for both chairmen will be working to reduce the state's $6.32 billion deficit.
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| WI Governor Signs Tort Reform Law | |
WI Governor Scott Walker has signed the lawsuit reform bill recently passed by the State Legislature.
Among a number of changes, the bill would provide:
-- Manufacturer protection: forcing lawsuits for legal damages to prove that the defendant actually manufactured the product that caused the damage;
-- Punitive damage reform: Sets a cap of $200,000, or twice the amount of compensatory damages - whichever is greater, relative to punitive, noneconomic damages, which are currently unlimited. Recovering for actual economic damages is still allowed and uncapped;
-- Frivolous lawsuit reform: punish and ultimately prevent lawsuits with malicious intent or the sole intent of harassing a defendant.
MWFPA is a member of the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council which promoted this legislation believing it will reduce litigation and help Wisconsin businesses remain competitive.
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| IL Tax Hike Repeal Bills Introduced | |
Legislation to repeal the 66% income tax increase passed in the IL General Assembly on the final day of the lame duck session has been introduced in both the House and Senate.
The legislation would both supersede the increases and return income to rates to 3% for individuals and small businesses and 4.8% for corporations. The individual income tax rose to 5 percent and the corporate tax to 7 percent during the lame duck session.
Both bills have a large number of co-sponsors, however political insiders say it is too early to tell what modifications to the tax increases will gain any traction. The new legislative session begins this week with the House scheduled to be in February 1-2 and the Senate scheduled for February 1- 3.
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| Nutrition Facts Get Less Consumer Attention | | |
Consumer interest in reading the nutrition facts label on packaged food has steadily waned among U.S. households, according to food market research by NPD Group.
The nutrition facts labels were required to be added to food packaging in 1994 as a result of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) of 1990. The information on the label includes such items as serving size, calories, nutrients-total fat (saturated and trans fat), cholesterol, sodium and total carbohydrates.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which administers the NLEA, is currently reviewing guidelines for front-of-pack labeling, which up to now has not been regulated. On Jan. 24, the food industry issued its own guidelines for front-of-pack labeling.
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| McCain Foods Vows Healthier Options For School Meals | |
MWFPA member McCain Foods, USA has joined other food manufacturers in backing a project uniting several industries to help provide more affordable healthy school meals, spearheaded by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Companies involved have pledged to set prices for healthier options no higher than comparable less healthy alternatives, and to develop and market foods that fit with the alliance's nutrition criteria.
Other food manufacturers taking part in the project are AdvancePierre Foods, Domino's Pizza, JTM Food Group, Rich Products Corporation, Schwan's Food Service, Trident Seafoods, HPS, Premier healthcare alliance, Summa/Provista, Interflex, Dole Food Company, Inc., and the National Turkey Federation.
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| Focus On Energy Announces New Training Courses | |
For those seeking ways to save energy and reduce operating costs at their business, Focus on Energy is providing training events to fit your needs! New training courses for 2011 have just been announced! View these new training opportunities here.
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| Sign Up Now For Safety Conference - Feb. 16 & 17 | |
The Food Processor Safety Conference, cosponsored by Midwest Food Processors Association and the Wisconsin Safety Council, is set to take place on February 16 & 17, 2011 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI. MWFPA and WSC members will receive a 10% discount for multiple attendees.
The keynote session will feature Mr. Bob Emmerich, President of Safe Con LLC speaking on identifying and preventing hazards in the food processing industry. Mr. Emmerich will cover many of the basic safety issues in the food processing industry that create the primary hazards and will demonstrate some of the more common safety issues in the industry including ways to protect you and your employees from those hazards.
A Professional Development Course (PDC) covering incident investigation is on the second day of the conference -- February 17. Participants will receive Supervisor Safety Certification and Advanced Safety Certification.
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| Position Open - Red Gold Human Resource Manager | |
Red Gold currently has a position open for a human resource manager. The position is responsible for all HR responsibilities pertaining to a non-union food processing facility with 300 full-time employees. It is also responsible for recruitment of 300 seasonal workers for pack. The reporting structure to this position is two to three assistants. Ideal candidate is bilingual in Spanish. Degree required with 5 to 7 years experience. Position located 35 miles north of Indianapolis. Please send resume to Elizabeth Swadener, eswadener@redgold.com.
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| Position Open - Lakeside Foods -- General Manager | | |
Lakeside Foods' Plainview, MN facility has an opening for a general manager. The position is responsible for all operational systems in canned and frozen operations. This consists of acquisition of raw materials, agricultural planning, product processing , warehousing, quality assurance, safety, human relations and shipping of quality finished products.
Please send a resume, including salary history, to:
Dave Greenwood
Director of Human Resources
Lakeside Foods, Inc.
P.O. Box 1327
Manitowoc, WI 54221-1327
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| 2011 Membership Dues Reminder | |
Membership dues for 2011 were mailed and emailed in December to all current MWFPA members. Thanks to all of you who have already sent in your dues. Those who have not are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. If you need a copy of your invoice or would like to discuss your membership, please contact Robin Fanshaw at 608.255.9946 or robin.fanshaw@mwfpa.org.
Mail your payments to:
4600 American Pkwy., Suite 110
Madison, WI 53718-8334
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
February 16-17, 2011: MWFPA Safety Conference. Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI. A tremendous opportunity for safety and health conscious individuals to gather and learn from experts and peers how to best address today's safety, health and compliance issues. The hottest topics affecting industrial safety will be covered. The 1 to 1-1/2 hour session formats allow time for a thorough understanding of each subject, in addition to questions and answers. Register here. May 4-6, 2011: GMA Consumer Complaints Management Conference. Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, Chicago, IL. This conference provides consumer affairs and complaint management specialists with the roadmap for effective complaint management. Conference attendees will gain crisis management insights and enhanced knowledge of today's consumer and their expectations of customer service. Consumer affairs professionals working in food manufacturing, retail and foodservice cannot afford to miss this valuable training event. For more information, click here.
June 1-2, 2011: MWFPA Golf Outing. Evening reception on June 1st is planned for the Hilton Garden Inn. On June 2nd, a day of golf (scramble format), lunch and cash prizes at Trapper's Turn in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Details to follow. November 28-Dec. 1, 2011: MWFPA 107th Annual Convention and 84th Annual Processing Crops Conference, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Kalahari Resort and Convention Center. Mark your calendars now! Don't miss this invaluable opportunity to gain exclusive insights from some of the industry's most innovative and knowledgeable representatives and to make meaningful contacts with clients, prospects and referral sources.
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| MWFPA Educational Opportunities | |
March 7-11, 2011: University of Wisconsin Better Process Control School. Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison, WI. This course will help employees of food companies meet the safety requirements set by the Code of Federal Regulations for safe canning of foods. This USDA- and FDA-approved training is required for supervisors of thermal processing operations in the canning and retortable flexible container industries. Detailed information, including a brochure, enrollment form, and a link to online registration is available through the University of Wisconsin-Madison CALS Conference Services: http://www.cals.wisc.edu/ccs/Current%20Programs.html. A draft schedule of the week's events is available at http://www.foodsafety.wisc.edu/better_process.html.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is published twice monthly or as developments warrant, and is intended for a general audience of manufacturers and suppliers of food and agricultural products. |
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