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 | December 14, 2011 | |
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FDA Commits to BPA Decision by End of March | | |
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has committed to reaching a decision by March 31, 2012 on whether to ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in food and drink packaging.
The commitment to arrive at a decision came as pa rt of a court settlement with the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) after a ruling from US District Court for the Southern District of New York. In 2008 the NRDC, an environmental action group, filed a petition with FDA requesting a BPA ban. Under federal rules, the FDA has up to 180 days to respond to a written petition. When a response was not forthcoming, NRDC took legal action leading to the ruling.
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$39 Million Set Aside for FDA Food Safety | | |
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received $50 million of which $39 million will go toward implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act. After its passage earlier this year, concerns had been raised as to whether funding would be available to carry out the provisions of the law.
The new funding will be targeted at provisions specifically required by the law such as employing about 2,000 additional inspectors and increasing the frequency of plant inspections.
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FDA, FSIS Extend Deadline for Sodium Reduction Comments | | |
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are extending the comment period to January 27, 2012, for the notice entitled, "Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption; Establishment of Dockets; Request for Comments, Data, and Information."
FDA and FSIS have requested comments on research, data and other information that will better inform both agencies about current and emerging practices by the private sector regarding sodium reduction in foods.
Submit electronic comments, data and information to http://www.regulations.gov/. For more information, go to http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2011-30865_PI.pdf.
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EPA to Ease Boiler Rules | | |
Amid criticism from industry and lawmakers, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed easing proposed rules aimed at reducing air pollution from industrial boilers and incinerators.
The latest version of the boiler emission standards cuts the cost of implementation by nearly 50 percent from the original 2010 proposed rule. The agency received more than 4,800 comments from businesses and other stakeholders, including MWFPA, concerned about the high projected cost and rigorous compliance schedule.
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| The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens | | |
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IL Legislature Passes Tax Breaks for CME, Sears | |
The IL House and Senate have approved a package of business tax incentives for CME and Sears.
The legislation provides CME an $85 million tax break in order to keep the biggest U.S. futures exchange operator from leaving Chicago. It also extends a $15 million yearly tax break to retail company Sears.
Governor Quinn has said he would sign the bill into law if it passed both bodies. The intent is to ease the burden of the recent 47 percent increase in the IL corporate income tax. MWFPA supports efforts to help job creators build successful businesses, which includes reducing the tax burden and government bureaucracy, while moving forward with regulatory reform.
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MN General Fund With Surplus | |
MN's general fund has gone from a $5.1 billion deficit to an $867 million budget surplus according to MN Management and Budget officials. The surplus allays fears that the state would once again be facing a budget hole heading into next year's legislative session. As required by state law, the surplus will be used to replenish the state's cash-flow account and budget reserves, both of which are severely depleted.
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Special Primary Completed in MN | |
A special primary was held in two predominently Democratic districts in MN. In Senate District 59, where the seat was vacated when Larry Pogemiller was appointed Governor Dayton's Director of Higher Education, Ben Schwanke won on the Republican side -- he ran unopposed. Kari Dziedzic won on the Democratic-Farmer-Labor side. Schwanke and Dziedzic will face each other in a special election on January 10.
In State Representative District 61B, DFLer Susan Allen won by a large margin. Allen will replace Jeff Hayden who resigned at the end of October.
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Tort Reform Measure Becomes Law in WI | |
Governor Scott Walker signed into law a tort reform bill limiting the amount of fees attorneys can collect when damages are awarded. The measure caps attorneys' fees at no more than three times the amount of damages, but allows a judge to exceed the cap in certain instances. MWFPA supported this initaitive.
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Remember, WI Tax Credit Available | |
Food processors and others looking to claim the WI Food Processing Plant and Food Warehouse Investment Credit are reminded that the program has been transferred from the former Wisconsin Department of Commerce to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
Applications must be completed and either postmarked or delivered to DATCP after the end of the applicant's taxable year in which the eligible capital investment occurred, and no later than February 15 of the subsequent tax year.
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MWFPA Convention A Great Success! | | |
This year's annual convention proved to be a great success bringing together over 900 industry professionals from across the U.S. and a number of countries. A record 177 exhibitors displayed the latest in food technology, services and packaging in the exposition hall.
Positive reviews are still coming in and the ratings for the event have ranged from "great" to "the best ever" depending on the source, but no one appears to have had a show that was anything less than a total success.
Thanks go to all of our members and associate members who attended this year's convention and helped make it a success. A special thanks to our many sponsor and exhibitor companies for their generous contributions. A convention of this size is not possible without the commitment and support from members, associate members, and sponsors.
Read the convention recap here!
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Faribault's Sevcik Elected Chairman of MWFPA Board | | |
Ken Sevcik, Director/Technical Services at Faribault Foods in MN was elected chairman of MWFPA's Board of Directors at this year's annual convention. Ken has served on the Board since 2007 and has held the positions of Vice Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer. Congratulations to Ken!
Ken will replaces outgoing Board Chairman Darek Frey of McCain Foods USA Inc. The membership of MWFPA offers its heartfelt thanks to Darek for his hard work and dedication. MWFPA is a better organization due to Darek's work. Thank you!
Bruce Jacobson of Lakeside Foods was elected Vice Chairman and Ryan Downs of GLK Foods was elected Secretary/Treasurer. Congratulations to both.
Board members with terms ending are Randy Albrecht of Jenny-O Turkey Store, John Reimer of JAX Inc. and Randy Karcz of Hydrite Chemical Co. Thank you for all your time and effort in keeping the Association focused on success.
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MWFPA 2011 Annual Report Available Online | | |
MWFPA's 2011 annual report is now available for online viewing or download.
To view a copy online, click on the image at right. The report provides a snapshot of MWFPA's 2011 successes and highlights the many services provided by MWFPA over the year.
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Welcome New Association Members! | | |
Join us in welcoming our newest members to the Association! To learn more about them visit their websites by clicking on the company name.
AllCad Northwest
ORBIS Corporation
Freudenberg Process Seals
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Dues Request Distributed | | |
Membership dues for 2012 have been mailed to all current MWFPA members. Members are encouraged to send in their contribution as as soon as possible. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your membership, please contact Robin Fanshaw at 608.255.9946 or robin.fanshaw@mwfpa.org.
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Lakeside Seeks Distribution General Manager | | |
Lakeside Foods in Manitowoc, WI seeks a full-time distribution center general manager to be responsible for operational systems in canned labeling and frozen production operations. Qualified candidates will have a four-year degree , or equivalent experience, plus overall knowledge of packaging operations and equipment.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Bruce Jacobson or Dave Greenwood at: bjacobson@lakesidefoods.com or greenwood@lakesidefoods.com, or mail to them at 808 Hamilton St., P.O. Box 1327, Manitowoc, WI, 54220.
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Hancock Station Seeks Research Program Mgr. | | |
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Hancock Agricultural Research Station is seeking a superintendent. The position is responsible for overseeing the operation of the research station which focuses on irrigated vegetable and field crops with an emphasis on potatoes, snap beans, cucumbers, field corn and sweet corn and alfalfa.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume referring to Position Vacancy Listing #72257 to: Dwight Mueller, N695 Hopkins Rd., 119 ARS Arlington Farm Headquarters, Arlington, WI. 53911-9719 or email dhmuelle@wisc.edu.
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GMA Establishes New Tool for Food Exporters | | |
The Grocery Manufacturers Association in collaboration with Bryant Christie Inc. and the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service have launched the International Food Additive Database. It is designed to assist exporters by providing information on national regulatory strandards and expand export markets for U.S. speciality and processed food products. It is a free resource and food processors are encouraged to try it at: www.foodadditivedatabase.com. For assistance, contact Peggy Rochette at GMA at: prochette@gmaonline.org.
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
February 15-16, 2012: Seventh Annual Food Processors Safety Conference/Expo, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Kalahari Resort. A great opportunity for safety and health conscious individuals to gather and learn from experts and peers how best to address today's safety, health and compliance issues. For more details, click here.
November 27-29, 2012: MWFPA 108th Annual Convention and 85th Annual Processing Crops Conference, Madison, WI, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. 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.
June 6 & 7, 2012: MWFPA Spring Summit and Scramble, Trappers Turn Golf Course, Wisconsin Dells, WI. Save the date and join us for our Member's only golf outing and Spring meetings.
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| MWFPA Educational Opportunities | |
January 30-February 1 2012: Introduction to Food Chilling and Freezing. Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison, WI. Designed for those needing a better understanding of both the science and technologies for food chilling and freezing, this course is an opportunity to focus on the subjects' most important principles and practices. For more information or to register, click here.
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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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