The Maine Department of Labor notified MGFPA that major changes to federal OSHA recordkeeping rules will go into effect on January 1, 2015. Some of our members may now be required to record occupational injuries and illnesses using the appropriate forms: the 300, 300A, and 301. This would depend on that business’ type of work identified by the business’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.
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Just two days before Thanksgiving, the FDA announced its final “menu labeling” rules. Who knew a simple five-word clause in the 3,000 page Affordable Care Act to expand chain restaurant menu labeling rules to grocery stores could potentially be one of the most costly and burdensome regulations to impact the grocery industry. Never mind that Congress had no intention of sweeping grocery and convenience stores into the mix in the first place.
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Mark Your Calendar – Food For Thought Forum – April 22, 2015 at the Augusta Bangor Savings Bank. Governor LePage will join us to speak about his tax reform and relief proposal. Don’t miss this day of business to business networking and information exchange. Members receive discounted registration. Not a member, join today to receive this member only discount and so much more!
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The Maine Legal Holiday Calendar for 2015 is now available. Grocers and supermarket operators please note the sales restrictions.
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The City of Portland’s ordinance to charge a 5 cent fee on paper and plastic bags at grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies goes into effect in April 2015. In addition to the 5 cent fee which the retailer gets to keep, Maine Revenue Services has ruled that the 5 cent fee is subject to the state sales of 5.5 percent and therefore must be collected and then remitted to the state. We have asked the City of Portland for further guidance on this ordinance as well as the second ordinance to ban certain polystyrene food containers.
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