Federal Legislation Calls for 5-Cent Bag Tax
U.S. Rep. Jim Moran has introduced a measure that would put a 5-cent tax on plastic and paper bags given out at all retail locations, including convenience stores. Fee revenue…
FDA ‘Very Interested’ in E-Cigs
Tobacco retailers, suppliers, and other NATO Show attendees crowded the general session, eager to hear whether Mitch Zeller, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s newly appointed director of the Center…
Contempt Charge Looms Over Swipe Fee Website
A federal judge overseeing a pending $7.25-billion class-action settlement involving Visa and MasterCard ordered merchant trade groups opposed to the deal to show why they should not be held in…
FDA Taking Closer Look at Caffeine-Enhanced Products
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is closely watching the marketing of a growing number of caffeine-enhanced food products on the market and wants to know more about their…
Senators Introduce Bill to Stop Tobacco Smuggling, Increase Federal Tobacco Tax
U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced the Tobacco Tax and Enforcement Reform Act, legislation that would reduce illegal tobacco…
Merchant Group Websites Post Swipe-Fee Notices
Facing the threat of a contempt of court charge, merchant groups opposed to the pending $7.25 billion class-action settlement involving Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc. over interchange or “swipe” fees…
New I-9 Form Required after May 7
In March, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a revised Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. All individuals hired for employment in the United States are required to complete…
New USDA Meat COOL Rules Effective Immediately
Enforcement to Begin in NovemberOn May 23, 2013, USDA released a final rule which amends the country of origin labeling (COOL) regulations. The final rule has been issued to respond…
To: USDA Nutrition Assistance Partners – Midwest Region
The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has asked federal partners to help disseminate information about the Affordable Care Act’s new Health Insurance Marketplace. Please see the…
Government Issues Finalized Wellness Rules
As part of Obamacare, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its guidelines for employment-based wellness programs. WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued…