The Sales Tax Division has posted two bulletin updates to the MRS website:
Bulletin No. 12 – Retailers of Food Products. The bulletin was updated to remove
“menstrual products” from a chart of examples of taxable non-food products that may be
sold by a retailer of food products. Menstrual products will be exempt from sales tax
beginning on October 1, 2021.
REMINDER: The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is reminding retail stores, restaurants, and shoppers that the statewide ban on single-use plastic carry-out bags will go into effect on July 1, 2021.
Implementation of a state law that prohibits restaurants, stores, and a wide variety of other eating establishments from using polystyrene foam disposable food containers will take effect on July 1, 2021.
Family of four could pay more than $50 a month more for groceries
June 7, 2021 – Augusta, ME – A new study released last week estimates that a bill being considered by the Maine Legislature could increase the cost of consumer products by between $99 million and $134 million a year, leading to a potential cost increase for a family of four of between $32 per month and $59 per month.
As we approach the daunting one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic and as we collectively strive to put the virus behind us, we are thankful for Governor Mills and the administration’s leadership and unwavering approach to protect Mainers’ safety.
On Friday, February 12th, the Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association and a coalition of food and agriculture industries requested continued prioritization in Maine’s phase 1b COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan directly to Governor Mills and Commissioner Lambrew in a co-signed letter.
Our sector has worked tirelessly to ensure consistent and safe access to food and we are eager to continue to do so with a vaccinated workforce.
The pandemic has put an unimaginable amount of stress on Maine’s food industry and the entire supply chain including various goods and products such as single-use paper bags. The Maine DEP evaluated the landscape and determined that due to the ongoing challenges to Maine’s businesses, it made sense to delay enforcement of Maine’s ban on single-use plastic bags and polystyrene.
Maine DEP delays enforcement of polystyrene foam and plastic bag bans. The department will exercise its enforcement discretion until July 1, 2021.
