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Bakers Oppose EPA E15 Decision Market Volatility, Science and Economic Impact Must be Reviewed by EPA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Bakers Association (ABA) expressed concern today over the Environmental Protection Agency's decision allowing the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15) for cars manufactured in the 2007 model year or later. "EPA's decision to increase the ethanol blend to E15 will further increase volatility in the grain markets. Other grains, including wheat, may increasingly be in shorter supply; potentially this may impact food prices in the future as the nation continues to lose wheat acreage," said Robb MacKie, ABA president and CEO. "ABA strongly opposes this ill-advised decision and calls on EPA to consult with relevant government agencies to carefully study how this would impact market volatility, to review the science behind the decision and analyze the economic impact on the already weakened economy."
[Full Press Release]
EPA Extends SPCC Compliance Date EPA has extended the compliance date for its Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule to Nov. 10, 2011. This extension applies to food manufacturing facilities and manufacturing facilities using and storing animal fats and vegetable oils. Last year, EPA amended the SPCC rule to strengthen certain provisions thus requiring regulated entities to amend their SPCC plans.
[More information on EPA's rule] |
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Inspector General Report Criticizes OSHA's Negotiations of Fines
A recent report will not make compliance matters easier under current OSHA regulations. According to a report released last week, the Labor Department's office of inspector general criticized OSHA for being too lenient on its violators when settling fines. In particular, the report focused on OSHA's decision to decrease penalties without cause. Further, the report stated that federal investigations into whistleblower complaints missed basic steps, such as interviewing witnesses, and workers who reported violations received no guarantees that their complaints would receive appropriate investigation under the Whistleblower Protection Program.
[Read a copy of the report] |
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FTC Proposes Revisions to its Green Guides 
Last week the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released proposed revisions to its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (Green Guides). The proposed revisions were prompted by the agency's perception of an increase in the use of "green" claims in marketing, and that the agency's own research suggests consumers take away broad and sometimes unintended messages from such claims. The proposed Green Guides amplify some of the existing guidance, particularly on "general" environmental claims and "seals of approval," and address some new claims such as "made from renewable energy." The agency also notes that it has not deferred enforcement actions involving environmental marketing claims while the revision of the Green Guides was under consideration and that recently there have been several such cases. Comments are due on December 10.
[Read a copy of the report] |
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Register Now for the FTRAC Meeting!
ABA's Food Technical Regulatory Affairs Committee will hold a meeting Oct. 21-22, 2010 in Savannah, Ga.
Important Note: The ABA fax machine experienced periodic difficulties during the last week of September. A meeting confirmation note was sent to all registered attendees of the FTRAC meeting today, Oct. 13, 2010 at 1:00pm EDT, from Margaret Collins ( mcollins@americanbakers.org). If you did not receive a confirmation, but believe you should be registered, please re-submit your registration via fax or e-mail. |
Did You Miss IBIE 2010? Did You Attend, but Want to Learn More? Check Out These Resources:
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GFF Promoting "Sandwich Night" with Sweepstakes 
The Grain Foods Foundation and Jamie & Bobby Deen (hosts of Food Network's Road Tasted and sons of Paula Deen) have teamed up to encourage families to make one night a week Sandwich Night - a nutritious and delicious dinner-solution for the whole family. As the campaign approaches its halfway point, the team continues to build momentum and receive tremendous consumer feedback. In the first half of the campaign, the Grain Foods Foundation has seen an impressive spike in its Facebook fan base with more than 3,100 new fans. Additionally, nearly 2,000 fans have signed up for a chance to win a Sandwich Night with the Deen brothers in Savannah, Georgia, through a sweepstakes run from the "GoWithTheGrain" Facebook page. To further generate consumer excitement and media coverage, the Grain Foods Foundation and the Deen Brothers will travel to Minneapolis on October 21 for a cooking demonstration at the Mall of America. Full Press Release | GFF Facebook Sweepstakes Page |
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| What is ABA? Who does ABA represent?
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700
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The American Bakers Association (ABA) advocates on behalf of over 700 baking facilities and their suppliers.
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$70B | The baking industry generates more than $70 billion in economic activity annually.
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500,000 |
The baking industry employs close to half a million highly skilled people. |
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It was our pleasure to bring this message to you from the American Bakers Association. Please contact us if you have comments or suggestions.
If you would like to be removed from the ABA What's New e-mail sent to ABA members each week, please make your request to Margaret Collins or call 202-789-0300.
Have a great day!
ABA Membership & Communications Department Karin M. Soyster, CMP, CAE - Vice President, Membership Services
Kelly Kotche - Director, Membership and Communications
Margaret Collins - Membership Services & Web site Coordinator
American Bakers Association
1300 I Street, NW, Suite 700 West
Washington, DC 20005
202-789-0300 phone
202-898-1164 fax
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