A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate and House Wednesday would make expiration date labeling on food less confusing, helping to eliminate a key cause of consumer food waste in the U.S. Forty percent of food in America goes uneaten, and consumers are responsible for more of that waste than grocery stores, restaurants or any […]
Tag: legislation
DOL Overtime Ruling Expected Today, But Some Facts Already Out
The Department of Labor’s new overtime ruling officially will be issued today, May 18. However, many of the pertinent facts were leaked yesterday, according to Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge, who provided this information to The Shelby Report. The final ruling will: • Increase the overtime exemption from $23,660 to $47,476. The exemption level is […]
Restaurateur To U.S. Senate: Overtime Changes Will Cause More Problems
The restaurant industry is concerned that the federal Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed changes to the overtime rule will derail opportunities for hourly employees seeking managerial careers and significantly ratchet up compliance costs. Louisiana restaurateur Octavio Mantilla testified on behalf of the National Restaurant Association (NRA) at a U.S. Senate Small Business Committee hearing last […]
GMA Creates BPA Database To Help Industry Comply With Calif. Prop 65
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has created a database for food and beverage companies to list products whose packaging may contain bisphenol A (BPA), as required under a new California regulation, Proposition 65, that went into effect May 11. California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) implemented an emergency regulation on April 18 that […]
Calif. Governor Signs Tobacco 21 Bill, Prevention Organization Responds
California Governor Jerry Brown last week signed into law a bill that raises California’s legal age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21. The law is set to take effect on June 9. By increasing the tobacco age to 21, the nation’s largest state follows similar measures taken by others. The state of Hawaii […]
FDA Releases Final Menu-Labeling Guidance
The FDA on Friday released its final guidance on menu-labeling regulations, setting May 2017 as the deadline for compliance. The rule requires menu labeling at chain restaurants and “similar retail food establishments,” determined by the FDA to include grocery stores. In response to the release of the guidance, which came as a surprise to the […]
NACS Urges Retailers To Comment To Protect C-Store SNAP Program
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) has launched a web page to make it easier for convenience stores to submit comments on the proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) is giving retailers until May 18 to file comments. According to NACS, if implemented, the proposed rule changes the requirements […]
RIHA Says Paid Sick Leave Bill Would Damage Rhode Island Businesses
The Rhode Island Hospitality Association (RIHA) is urging its members to contact state legislators to oppose the proposed paid leave bill under review. Five states in the country have approved such a bill, including Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. According to the RIHA, the Rhode Island bill is more generous than any of the five other states. The […]
Move To Raise Tobacco Sales Age Picks Up Momentum, And More…
Convenience Store News In Brief… The Massachusetts Senate has approved raising the tobacco-selling age to 21 years old. In addition, the Portland City Council in Oregon approved tasking its Health and Human Services Committee to draft a similar proposal. California and Hawaii already passed laws to raise the smoking age to 21 years old… Retailer […]
State Rep. Shaul Of Missouri Grocers Association Receives FMI Public Affairs Award
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) on Wednesday presented Missouri Rep. Dan Shaul (District 113), director of the Missouri Grocers Association, with the Donald H. MacManus Award for his leadership in public affairs and his dedication to both industry and community relations. FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin presented Shaul with the award at FMI’s […]
RIHA, NRA Issue Alert On Proposed National Overtime Regulations
The Rhode Island Hospitality Association (RIHA) and National Restaurant Association (NRA) recently issued an action alert on proposed national overtime regulations, urging members to contact legislators to support the “Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act.” The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently proposed significant changes to the nation’s overtime regulations. If the DOL regulations go into effect, […]
ConAgra To Adhere To Vermont’s GMO Law By Labeling Products Nationwide
ConAgra Foods will begin adding labels to products nationwide by July 2016 to meet Vermont’s GMO labeling requirements. In a recent corporate statement, ConAgra said, “We stand behind the health and safety of all of our products, including those with genetically modified ingredients, and believe consumers should be informed as to what’s in their food. […]
New York Governor Signs $15 Minimum Wage Bill, 12-Week Paid Family Leave Plan
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation on April 4 enacting a statewide $15 minimum wage plan and a 12-week paid family leave policy. The state budget includes a historic increase in the minimum wage, ultimately reaching $15 an hour for all workers in all industries across the state. For workers in New York City […]
Governor Expected To Sign California Minimum Wage Legislation Today
California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. is expected to join supporters from across the state on Monday in Los Angeles to sign into law Senate Bill 3, passed by both houses of the legislature last week, that makes California the first state in the nation to commit to raising the minimum wage to $15 per […]
Florida’s SNAP Distribution Period Expands On Friday
The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) and its Florida Grocers Association (FGA) division are reminding retailers and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients that the monthly distribution dates for the program increase from 15 days to 28 days, effective April 1. FRF and FGA were involved in pushing for this legislation, which took place during the 2015 […]
FDA Delays Menu Labeling Again, And More…
Convenience Store News In Brief… According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has pushed enforcement of its menu-labeling regulations until 2017. As part of the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, the rules mandate that restaurants and retailers selling prepared foods in 20 or more U.S. locations place […]
California Expected To Raise Minimum Wage To $15, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… California is on its way to becoming the first state to boost its minimum wage rate to $15 per hour. Gov. Jerry Brown, labor unions and state lawmakers this week reached a deal to incrementally raise California’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022. The current rate is $10 […]
California Raising Minimum Wage To $15 Per Hour Statewide
California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Monday joined legislators and labor leaders to announce an agreement that makes California the first state in the nation to commit to raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour statewide. “California is proving once again that it can get things done and help people get ahead,” said […]
General Mills To Label GMO Products Nationwide
General Mills soon will label all its products made with genetically modified ingredients, according to a company blog post published on Friday. The company’s decision comes on the heels of a failed national labeling bill and as Vermont’s deadline for labeling GMO products sold in its state looms. The national legislation, spearheaded by Sen. Pat […]
Federal GMO Labeling Bill Fails In Senate
A bill to create national standards for food made with genetically engineered ingredients, or GMOs, failed in the Senate on Wednesday. The bipartisan legislation, spearheaded by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), would have established a uniform voluntary GMO labeling standard to be developed by USDA within two years of the bill’s enactment. The bill also would […]
