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Biden Opposition to Takeover of U.S. Steel Comes After Months of Lobbying
President Biden’s decision to oppose Nippon Steel’s attempt to buy United States Steel on Thursday was the culmination of months of agitation against the deal. Republican and Democratic lawmakers had called for the Biden administration to use national-security powers to block the $14.1 billion deal. The United Steelworkers union blasted it. With the political pressure mounting, Biden signaled his opposition to the deal without explicitly saying he would block it. MORE
Source: WMC
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Farm Bill Could Be Bogged Down Because Of California’s Prop 12
House Agriculture Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) may be making it tougher to pass a new Farm Bill. Thompson is insisting on including what he calls “a fix” for California’s Proposition 12. He claims the Prop 12 requirements have upset the hog market. Two agricultural non-profit groups are challenging the Pennsylvania Republican over the legislation that took effect this year in California. Thompson recently said the Proposition 12 law has driven up the cost of meat for consumers, flooded the hog market, and “we need a fix there.” MORE
Source: MBS
Federal Appeals Court Blows up Biden's Carbon Emissions Disclosure Rule
A federal appeals court paused financial rules issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that will force private companies to publicly disclose their carbon emissions and risks climate change poses to their business. In a short ruling issued Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit paused the SEC's climate disclosure rule but declined to offer any explanation for the decision. MORE
Source: WMC
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Industry Associations Push Back on EPA Wastewater Guidelines
An alliance of meat and poultry industry associations said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has underestimated the cost of its proposed wastewater guidelines. The Meat and Poultry Products Industry Coalition (MPP), made up of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Meat Institute, National Chicken Council, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, North American Renderers Association and the US Poultry & Egg Association, believes the guidelines will cost hundreds of millions more than the estimate, eliminate tens of thousands of jobs and close many processing facilities, resulting in hardship for livestock and poultry producers. MORE
Source: MBS
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Feed Control Officials Express Concerns with Proposed PURR Act
Following the proposal of the new Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2024 (PURR Act), the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) expressed its concerns over the new act, claiming it would reduce state oversight and authority to review the marketing and labeling of pet foods. The act was introduced to the House on Feb. 15. The PURR Act, advocated by the Pet Food Institute, aims to modernize and streamline the current approach of how pet foods and treats are regulated. MORE
Source: MBS
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FDA Phases out PFAS in Certain Food Packaging Materials
In February 28, the FDA announced that certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances will no longer be sold in the U.S. In 2020, FDA obtained a commitment from manufacturers of 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH) to voluntarily phase out this grease-proofing food packaging substance. The food packaging involved is fast-food wrappers, microwave plastic bags, take-out paperboard containers and pet food bags. MORE
Source: Food NW
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OSHA Set to Publish Final Rule on Worker Walkaround Representation
OSHA’s final rule on worker walkaround representation is set to go into effect May 31. Scheduled at press time to be published April 1, the rule will let workers designate someone who doesn’t work for their employer – including a labor union member – to represent them during the “walkaround” part of an OSHA inspection. Under OSHA 1903.8, a walkaround representative “shall be an employee(s) of the employer.” MORE
Source: WMC
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28 Food Ingredients/Additives That May Be Banned Across the Country
We’ve carried a number of individual news items about state legislative bodies considering bans on ingredients added to food. Food safety consultancy The Acheson Group (www.achesongroup.com) has been watching the developments, too, and has come up with a master list of 23 substances “under the gun for exclusion in foods by a state or federal regulatory body.” And we’ve added a few of our own from our recent news stories to come up with a total of 28. MORE
Source: FoodProcessing.com
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MN DLI Webinar for Agricultural, Meat- and Poultry-Processing Employers: April 23
DLI's Labor Standards Division is providing a series of webinars to help workers and employers better understand the state's wage and hour laws. The first webinar on Tuesday, April 23, will provide information about laws applicable to employers and workers in agricultural and meat- and poultry-processing industries. Register HERE
Corporate Transparency Act
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) recently released new reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) that requires entities to disclose certain information to FinCEN. This information includes, for example, the names, residential addresses, and copies of ID documents of the entity’s beneficial owners or 25% or more and persons with substantial control.
You can find additional information regarding the CTA at: Required Compliance under Corporate Transparency Act Begins January 1, 2024 | Michael Best & Friedrich LLP). Entities formed after January 1, 2024 must report to FinCEN within 90 days after formation. Entities formed prior to January 1, 2024 must report to FinCEN on or before December 31, 2024. Failure to comply by such date could result in civil and/or criminal fines and other penalties.
Source: Michael Best
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MWFPA Gets Its Own Bill in the WI Legislature!
A revision bill to update the state statute to reflect our name change several years back was signed into law on Friday by Governor Evers. Literally, the whole of 2023 Act 255 of is to acknowledge that change! MWFPA holds one seat on the state Agricultural Producer Security Council, which Jason Culotta has filled since 2019.
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Calling All Employers - In Case You Missed It
During the 2023 Minnesota legislative session, labor laws were passed or amended that impact agricultural, food-, meat- and poultry-processing industries. On March 12, 2024, AgriGrowth, Midwest Food Products Association (MWFPA) and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) hosted an informational webinar to help employers understand the laws. If you weren't able to attend, a recording of the webinar is available here and the presentation is available here.
For more information, contact DLI’s Labor Standards unit at 651-284-5075 or dli.laborstandards@state.mn.us.
Source: MN AgriGrowth
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Conagra Vastly Reduces Solid Waste Stream
Conagra Brands, Inc. diverted 85% of the solid waste generated from its production facilities to more beneficial uses such as recycling, animal feed and soil quality improvement, according to its 2023 citizenship report. Issued on March 21, the report covers many of the social and environmental initiatives that Conagra took part in throughout its 2023 fiscal year. MORE
Source: CBA
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Ken's, Green Giant Utilize Corn Kid to Promote Both Brands
Adorable kids never go out of style. And they've proved successful elements in promoting food brands. One of the most engaging is Tariq, the Corn Kid. Green Giant utilized Tariq in its "That's Giant" spot last September. Now, the vegetable company has teamed with Ken's, a 66-year-old family-owned business, to promote the salad dressing, with Tariq, in a new ad: "Dress It Up." The crossover brand effort is a natural sequel – and connection. Both businesses target families and share key retailers. MORE
Source: CBA
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OSHA Hazard Alert Addresses Rise in Injuries in Food Processing
A new hazard alert from OSHA is aimed at increasing awareness and ensuring actions are being taken to reduce the “alarming number” of serious, preventable injuries in poultry, meat and other food processing establishments. From 2015 to 2022, around 1,500 injuries involving food/beverage process machinery and butchering machinery were reported to OSHA, as well as about 400 injuries involving food slicers and mixers, blenders, and whippers. MORE
Source: WMC
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The Benefits of Warehouse Automation for Food Manufacturers
The future of food manufacturing is increasingly intertwined with advancements in warehouse automation and packaging technology. The drive toward direct-to-consumer business models, compounded by labor shortages, catalyzes investment in sophisticated warehouse automation solutions. MORE
Source: CLFP
Have a Food Allergy? What to Know about FDA's new guidance
Approximately 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have a food allergy. Most recently, allergen labels changed when sesame became the official ninth major allergen in the U.S. with the passage of the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research Act in 2021, commonly known as FASTER. MORE
Source: CLFP
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Save the Date! 2024 Meetings & Events | |
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View 2024 MWFPA Sponsorship Opportunities - HERE
April 11 - Sanitation Seminar hosted at Food + Farm Exploration Center
May 1 - Friday/Weckel Scholarship Applications due
June 5 - MWFPA Spring Summit hosted at Kalahari Convention Center
June 6 - MWFPA Annual Scramble hosted at Trappers Turn
August 14 - Raw Products Field Trial at Hancock
October 8 - Sporting Clays Classic hosted at Woods & Meadow in Warrens, WI
December 3 - Processing Crops Conference
December 3-5 - MWFPA Convention & Expo (Exhibitor booth registration opens June 3rd)
Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells
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