July 1, 2018: Tobacco Products cannot be sold to any person under 21

On August 2, 2017 LD 1170 passed during 128th 1st Session of the Maine State Legislature, ‘An Act To Reduce Youth Access to Tobacco Products’. The result is that the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 21 years of age will not be allowed starting on July 1, 2018. Under this new law (Title 22, Chapter 262-A: RETAIL TOBACCO SALES), a person may not sell, furnish, or give away a tobacco product to any person under the age of 21. The law has an exemption, allowing the sale of tobacco products for those who are 18 as of July 1, 2018.

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US House Rejects Farm Bill

The full House rejected the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2) with a vote of 198-213; 30 Republicans voted “No” today.  The motion will be reconsidered for a re-vote. We anticipate the House to vote on the farm bill again soon. No timing of the re-vote is yet known, and the House has finished voting for the week.

Our national counterparts have worked diligently to ensure language was included in the bill that protects food retailers from fees charged on SNAP transactions, worked to prevent both retailer and customer personally-identifying data from being shared, and so that the use of mobile technology innovation in relation to SNAP is included.

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FocusMaine Intern Experience


FocusMaine, an initiative working to grow jobs and develop business in Maine, is supporting an intern program this summer as a key part of its strategy to foster, grow and attract knowledge professionals and entrepreneurs to boost economic growth in Maine. Educate Maine has joined forces with FocusMaine to bring the intern program to more students in Maine.

After a successful pilot program in 2017 with more than 250 interns and over 20 businesses participating, the FocusMaine Intern Experience is hoping to expand the number of interns and organizations participating its 2018 program.

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2018 MGFPA Partner – Food Safety Events

Our partners at Fork Food Lab with member Dirigo Food Safety and the University of Maine Orono Cooperative Extension are hosting a series of events covering Food Safety Regulations. Don’t miss out!

Entrepreneurship and Scale Up Series: Overview of scaling up at Fork Food Lab


FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food Training

FSPCA: Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance

June 6-8, 2018
Foster Innovation Center,
University of Maine, Orono

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Menu Labeling Rule Goes In Effect Today

FDA’s “Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments” regulation requires food retailers with 20 or more locations to implement menu labeling.

The rule requires calorie labeling (and additional nutritional information upon request) for standard menu items at covered establishments, i.e., establishments meeting the following criteria: 1) being part of a chain with 20 or more locations, 2) doing business under the same name, 3) selling substantially the same menu items, and 4) selling restaurant type foods/  – The Food Marketing Institute

 

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