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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
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European Safety Authority Says BPA Safe
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The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) comprehensive re-evaluation of bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and toxicity concludes that BPA poses no health risk to consumers of any age group (including unborn children, infants and adolescents) at current exposure levels.
Exposure from the diet or from a combination of sources (diet, dust, cosmetics and thermal paper) is considerably under the safe level (the "tolerable daily intake" or TDI) according to EFSA whose role in the EU food safety system is to carry out scientific risk assessment.The EFSA findings come on the heels or a recent announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that it had renewed its conclusion that the currently approved uses of BPA in food containers and packaging are safe. MWFPA has worked to oppose legislation intended to ban or limit the use of BPA because a myriad of American and European studies have indicated that it is not harmful to adults or children. Top of Page
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MN Budget Raises Transportation Taxes
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 MN Gov. Mark Dayton released his budget this week increasing $11 billion in taxes
to fund transportation over the next 10 years (gas tax, metro area sales tax, increased vehicle registration fees). The proposal would also increase taxes on some employers.
The $42 billion two-year budget sends much of the state's projected $1 billion surplus to education and child health.
Dayton's proposals garnered support from the DFL-controlled Minnesota Senate, but may face resistance in the Republican-controlled House. The Legislature will have about four months to pass a budget that will take effect in July.
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GMO Labeling Bills Introduced In MN Legislature
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 Bills have been introduced in the MN Legislature that would require food manufacturers to label their products to indicate whether they contain genetically engineered ingredients. Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, introduced a GE labeling bill in the Minnesota House and John Marty, DFL-Roseville, did the same in the Senate. MWFPA opposes state action regarding GMOs as this creates a patchwork of mandates in different states making it increasingly difficult to know when or where to label foods with GMOs. As a result, food manufacturers will face increases in operational costs as they are forced to adjust their manner of handling and preparing their products to account for genetically modified ingredients. This in turn will result in rising food prices. Continue reading. Top of Page |
Rauner Announces IL Agency Appointments
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 IL Gov. Rauner has announced a number of cabinet secretary, agency director and commission appointments including a some of interest to the food processing industry. Read more. Top of Page |
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WI Gov. Delivers State-of-State Speech, Budget Address Set For Feb. 3
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 The WI Gov's short speech included a pledge to continue to lower property taxes, in addition to a plan to merge four state agencies into two.
Jobs and education were two main talking points from Governor Scott Walker's speech which lasted less than 25 minutes. He did not mention right-to-work which is a growing controversy in the state Legislature. The Gov. left out details about how he plans to solve the state's budget shortfall, and in fact said the state would end the fiscal year with a surplus.The governor is expected to provide far more detail - including how he'll deal with a projected $2.2 billion deficit - when he delivers his budget address set for Feb. 3. Food processors will be interested in possible new funding mechanisms for the state's transportation fund which may be among a few of the expected, upcoming gubernatorial budget initiatives. |
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Did You Remember Your 2015 Membership Dues?
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 Did you remember to submit you membership dues for 2015? Members are encouraged to send in their contribution as soon as possible.
And when paying your dues, you can also take the opportunity to contribute to the MWFPA Scholarship fund! All invoices contain a convenient check-off box. Scholarships may be applied for by any child of a member in good standing.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your membership, please contact Brian Deschane at 608-255-9946, or [email protected].
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MWFPA Scholarships Available!
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 Applications for the MWFPA Scholarship and Friday/Weckel Scholarships are now available.
The MWFPA Scholarship may award up to $2,000 (depending on availability of funds) in scholarship money to deserving children of parents or guardians who are employees of MWFPA member companies. They must also be a high school senior or post-secondary student accepted into, or attending any post-secondary school, in the United States.
Applications will be accepted until March 2, 2015. The scholarships will be awarded in April, 2015. Last year six students received $1,000 scholarships
Undergraduate students attending, or planning to attend, UW Madison, Platteville or River Falls are eligible for Friday/Weckel scholarships. Applications are due by April 30, 2015. Last year six scholarships were awarded totaling $9,000.
Information and applications can be downloaded from the MWFPA website, or by contacting Brian Elliott at: [email protected], or by calling 608-255-9946.
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Registration Open For Food Processors Safety Conference/Exp
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 MWFPA is once again proud to offer an opportunity for health and safety conscious individuals to gather and learn from experts and peers on how to best address today's food processing safety, health and compliance issues. The hottest topics affecting industrial safety will be covered at the 10th Annual Food Processors Safety Conference/Expo, February 11-12, 2015 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
- This conference provides attendees the tools and practical applications needed to solve their toughest food processing environment safety issues.
- The conference will showcase numerous "Best Practices" - designed to address the role of safety and health in the field of food processing.
There will also be a pre-conference professional development course on February 11, 2015 on "Effective Team Safety" led by
Bill Koepnick, President, Professional Training Services, Inc. Participants will be provided the expertise needed to make their safety committee a success.
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MWFPA Becomes PACK EXPO East Partner
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MWFPA is partnering with the new PACK EXPO East tradeshow, February 16-18 at the Philadelphia Convention Center.
As a Gold Member of the PACK EXPO East Partner Program, MWFPA joins associations who are leading forces in collaboration.
With PACK EXPO East, you'll experience the same high quality industry professionals you have come to expect from a PACK EXPO show-in a convenient, focused setting allowing for plenty of time to engage with individual top-tier suppliers and peers.
Register Today!
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February 11-12, 2015: MWFPA/WSC Safety Conference. Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI. Cosponsored by MWFPA and the Wisconsin Safety Council, the conference provides attendees the tools and practical applications needed to solve their toughest food processing safety issues.
February 5, 2015: MWFPA Raw Products Committee. 10:00 a.m. to Noon. MWFPA offices, 4600 American Parkway, Madison, WI. Lower conference room.
February 18, 2015: MWFPA Environmental Committee. 10 a.m. to Noon. Holiday Inn, Madison, WI.
April 15, 2015: MWFPA Sanitation Seminar. Holiday Inn, Stevens Point, WI. June 4, 2015 - Spring Summit & Scramble. Trappers Turn Golf Course, Wisconsin Dells, WI. October 6, 2015 - Sporting Clays Challenge. Whispering Emerald Ridge Game Farm, N3954 640th St., Menomonie, WI. December 1-3, 2015 - MWFPA 111th Annual Convention and 88th Processing Crops Conference. KI Convention Center, Green Bay, WI.
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Other Educational Opportunities
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February 16-20, 2015: Industrial Refrigeration Workshop. Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive Park Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. A one-week intensive short course on industrial refrigeration as practiced in food freezing, refrigeration, and in other low temperature applications. For registration information, click here. March 16-19, 2015: Better Process Control School. Pyle Center, University of Wisconsin, 702 Langdon St., Madison, WI. Training for individuals who supervise critical food processing operations. For a brochure and registration information, click here.
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