The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
released
the third and final installment of its draft guidance on intentional adulteration of food under the Food Safety Modernization Act. The guidance focuses on food defense corrective actions, food defense verification, reanalysis and recordkeeping.
The rule applies to domestic and foreign companies required to register with FDA as food facilities.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Alliant Energy
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Pandemic or Pandemonium? Employers Brace for the Coronavirus
Despite (at the time of writing) only a few confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US, there is widespread panic – and paranoia – that the virus will spread.
As a result, many employers are preparing for the possibly of employee absences. Following are highlighted some of the steps that employers and human resources professionals can implement to avoid employment-related risk to their business.
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MN House Delays Action on Family Leave Bills
The MN House was slated to reconsider
HF 5 (paid family and medical leave) and
HF 11 (earned sick and safe time) but postponed the debate due to Commerce Committee Chair Halverson (DFL – Eagan) having the flu. Chair Halverson is the chief author of both bills
.
It is expected both bills will easily pass in the House, but not be taken up by the GOP-controlled Senate. However, these items may become part of end-of-session trading in order to pass a bonding bill, tax bill, and supplemental budget bill.
MWFPA has opposed this type of legislation which imposes far-reaching, once-size-fits-all mandates on employee benefits.
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MN Bill Seeks To Define PFAS As Hazardous Substance
A hearing that was scheduled on
HF 3182
, which would declare PFAS compounds a hazardous substance, was inexplicably pulled from the hearing.
Food manufacturing could be at legal risk under this legislation, not necessarily from contributing PFAS compounds, but having them in the stream of commerce entering processing.
MWFPA will continue to monitor this legislation and strive to remove any litigation risk to processors.
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WI Assembly Approves PFAS Language
The WI State Assembly tacked an
amendment on to an unrelated bill (Senate Bill 559) adopting several PFAS-related provisions.
This language, adopted during the chamber's final planned floor period of the session, is a significant change from the previously introduced bills that funds a human health study, allows DNR to do some water testing, and provides for lab certification.
The Assembly GOP leadership was determined to pass something on this subject but it is uncertain if the State Senate will take this up when that body meets for the final session day in March.
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EXHIBITORS - REGISTER NOW FOR MWFPA'S
SANITATION SEMINAR
May 12, 2020
Radisson Hotel, La Crosse, WI
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Food safety remains one of the more important matters facing the food manufacturing industry. The MWFPA Food Science & Technology Committee is organizing a high-quality seminar which incorporates the principles of sanitary practices in food facilities. A complete agenda will be available soon.
Exhibitors welcome! Register below.
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WI Water Quality Task Force Bills Proceed
Of the thirteen bills from WI State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ Water Quality Task Force, two are being followed closely by MWFPA as they may impact food manufacturing. Both measures have passed the State Assembly and are supported by MWFPA.
AB 796
would allocate $1 million to help producers reduce nitrates and was among the bills in the Speaker’s Water Quality Task Force package. The bill is now in the Senate for consideration sometime this month.
AB 794
would establish a 21-day public comment period before the WI DNR and the Dept. of Health Services propose groundwater standards under the Chapter 160 process. This bill too is now in the Senate.
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IL PFAS Bill Appears Stalled
While things are always subject to change in Springfield, at this time it appears one measure regarding PFAS will be held without a vote this year.
SB 3154
would ban the use of class B firefighter foam and food packaging that contains intentionally added PFAS . Multiple problems with the bill may delay its consideration. It is currently before the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee.
According to the IL Manufacturing Association, one of the largest flaws on SB 3154 is its lack of consideration for viable alternatives to products that do not contain PFAS. For example, several experts in the field have indicated that alternatives to class B firefighting foam are not preferred by those in the firefighting industry as they may not fight fires as well.
Additionally, the language of the bill is so broad, the bill would ban packaging containing PFAs used for any product that may one day touch food; this includes but isn't limited to, packaging of pots and pans, grills, microwaves and more. There are also certain circumstances where products do not have a viable alternative to PFAs in their packaging, and banning it could take entire product lines off the shelves.
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2020 Membership Directory: Time To Update Your Company's Information
The 2020-2021 Membership Directory is going to print this spring, with a publication date of June 2020. That means it's time to update your company profile!
We strive for the most up-to-date information possible before we publish our directory, but we need your help to keep us in the loop on company changes, locations and employee updates.
Please take a minute to review your company's listing and make the updates necessary using the member portal
InfoHub
. As you review your profile, please check for accuracy in contact information and be sure categories and a company description are in your profile. Please contact
Jane Algiers
if you have any concerns about data or need assistance creating a log in.
NOTE: If you are delinquent in membership dues, your company will not be included in the directory. If you believe this to be the case, call us right away with payment to bring your account current. You don't want to be left out!
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Published each fall, MWFPA's annual report summarizes the previous year's accomplishments and provides an overview of our financial status. It describes the work MWFPA has carried out over the preceding year and outlines some of the association's most significant achievements, challenges and programs.
MWFPA's 2019 Annual Report is now available for download. Find out more about the many ways in which the association is working to improve public policy in the Midwest for its members and assist the food manufacturing industry to grow and prosper. Click
here.
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Undergraduate students attending, or planning to attend, UW Madison, Platteville or River Falls are eligible for
Friday/Weckel scholarships. Last year six scholarships were awarded totaling $9,000.
Applications are due by
April 24, 2020. Last year six scholarships were awarded totaling $9,000.
Information and applications for scholarships offered by the Association can be downloaded from the MWFPA
website, or by contacting Brian Elliott at:
brian.elliott@mwfpa.org, or by calling 608-255-9946.
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Mark Your Calendar: MWFPA Events You Won't Want To Miss
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March 18, 2020:
MWFPA Accident Investigation Seminar,
Wilderness Resort,
511 E Adams St, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $95 per person. For more information and to register, click
here
.
April 21, 2010
:
MWFPA Human Resources Committee
, 4600 American Pkwy., Madison, WI, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
May 12, 2020
: MWFPA Sanitation Seminar, Raddisson Hotel, 200 Second Street South, 200 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse, WI. Exhibitors welcome.
May 27-28, 2020:
MWFPA Spring Summit & Scramble, Trappers Turn Golf Club, 2955 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
May 27, 2020: MWFPA Raw Products Committee, Kalahari Convention Center, 1 p.m.
December 1-3, 2020:
MWFPA 116th Annual Convention and 93rd Processing Crops Conference
. Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
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Other Educational Opportunities
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March 4 - 6, 2020
:
Introduction to Ammonia Refrigeration Systems
,
Pyle Center
,
702 Langdon Street, Madison, WI.
Anhydrous ammonia is a "natural refrigerant" that does not harm the ozone layer, has no global warming potential, and is popular because of its environmental friendliness and unmatched thermodynamic properties. This course will help you understand the benefits of ammonia through an exploration and comparison of other refrigerants, thermodynamics, refrigeration cycles, and related equipment. For more information, click
here
.
March 17-21, 2020
:
PAS National Conference
,
Bloomington, MN.
The PAS National Conference is a gathering of nearly 600 career-ready professional agricultural students, their collegiate advisors, and industry representatives. For more information contact: Steve Olson, National PAS - Fundraising Director/Industry Relations,
Steve@NationalPAS.org Office: 612.355.1266, Cell: 651.270.3439
April 7, 2020 & April 18, 2020:
The next frontier is energy submetering: benefits and lessons learned
,
The Embassy Suites, Brookfield, WI. Submetering allows you to monitor energy use from different electrical loads in your facility. This gives you the data to implement efficiency strategies and control costs. This full-day course on the benefits of submetering will educate you on what to consider before purchasing a system, the benefits of different system types, and the levels of data they provide. For more information and to register, click
here
.
April 22-23, 2020
:
Food Defense and Intentional Adulteration Rule Training
, Minneapolis, MN.
This two-day course hosted, by the
Food Protection and Defense Institute (FPDI), provides the convenience and interaction of a single, in person class to more comprehensively learn the breadth and interconnections of IA Rule requirements including how to:
- Prepare a Food Defense Plan
- Conduct vulnerability assessments including the full FSPCA Intentional Adulteration Conducting Vulnerability Assessment Course (IAVA)
- Identify and explain mitigation strategies
- Conduct reanalysis
April 28-30, 2020:
FDA/USDA Better Process Control School.
Pyle Center
, 702 Langdon Street, Madison, WI. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is pleased to support food and beverage manufacturers in the upper Midwest and across the nation by offering the FDA/USDA Better Process Control School. The Better Process Control School provides the food and beverage industry with qualified personnel in accordance with FDA and USDA regulations. All thermally processed low-acid or acidified foods which are packaged in hermetically-sealed containers must have certain critical operations supervised by a qualified person. Better Process Control School trains individuals to supervise these critical operations.
Arrangements have been made for content experts to support the industry via in-person, interactive lectures.
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Brian Elliott | Midwest Food Products Association | Ph: (608) 255-9946 | Fax: (608) 255-9838
Web: www.mwfpa.org
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