In response to a series of letters from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed it is reviewing the safety of energy drinks containing caffeine and other ingredients that act as stimulants,and may require regulatory action if evidence of a health risk is found.…
DetailsLast week, NACS, along with other oil and natural gas organizations, sent a joint letter to congressional leaders asking for a pro-growth solution to the fiscal cliff crisis. The letter stated that “any solution embraces a pro-growth objective focusing on job creation and avoids targeted tax increases on particular industries. “Throughout the economic downturn, America’s…
DetailsThe National Retail Federation (NRF) has issued a statement from president and CEO Matthew Shay on the new White House report, The Middle-Class Tax Cut’s Impact on Consumer Spending & Retailers: “It is encouraging to see the administration’s acknowledgement that retailers and their customers will be among the hardest hit if our elected officials fail…
DetailsThe ethanol wars are getting stickier, with the American Petroleum Institute (API) firing the next round by suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week over the 2013 ethanol mandates, the Detroit News reports. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, challenges the agency’s requirement to use…
DetailsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA – FSIS) has issued new food safety procedures for producers of ground chicken and turkey and related products. They will be required to reassess their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans within 90 days to account for recent salmonella outbreaks. “HACCP reassessments…
DetailsA recent survey by AAA finds a strong likelihood of consumer confusion and the potential for voided warranties and vehicle damage as a result of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent approval of E15 gasoline. An overwhelming 95% of consumers surveyed have not heard of E15, a newly approved gasoline blend that contains up to…
DetailsA new Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) report, “Replacing the Thrifty Food Plan in Order to Provide Adequate Allotments for SNAP Beneficiaries,” explores the shortfalls of the Thrifty Food Plan, reviewing the extensive evidence that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is important to the health and well-being of the nation, yet its benefits…
DetailsLegislation to prohibit all forms of online gambling except poker has lottery providers and convenience stores at odds, The Hill reports. Lottery officials are concerned that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) proposed online ban would cut into ticket sales (many offer online sales now). NACS is gathering support for the bill. “The lotteries have tried…
DetailsLast week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) released anew form for reporting potential tobacco product violations. The form provides the public and other stakeholders with another option for reporting potential violations of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) and related regulations with its…
DetailsThe Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the FDA’s request to begin using a Potential Tobacco Product Violations Report form to allow the public to report possible violations of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act directly to the FDA. A report can be made by using a smartphone application, a…
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