Since 2010, there have been waves of bills involving food and food safety washing through state capitals on subjects such as cottage foods, agricultural security, raw milk, and labeling food products containing genetically modified ingredients.
Continue Reading Tour of State Legislatures Finds Spotty Interest in Food Safety Issues
Peak of 2015 Legislative Season Underway for State Lawmakers
This week marked the beginning of what’s called “the peaking season” for state lawmakers, and it’s seen some food-safety-related bills moving forward without producing any big trends. The “peaking season” refers to the fact that
Continue Reading Peak of 2015 Legislative Season Underway for State Lawmakers
Food-Safety Bills Start Popping up in State Legislatures
A Republican legislator in New Mexico wants to bail out the state’s school lunch program by using tax money to purchase $1.4 million in locally grown fruits and vegetables, which would then be provided to
Continue Reading Food-Safety Bills Start Popping up in State Legislatures
Virginia Bill Would Exempt Homes, Small Farms From Food Safety Laws
The cottage food movement that has gained traction in the states since about 2010 is continuing to take hold this legislative season. Current law recently crafted in Virginia permits unlicensed home kitchens operating without inspections
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Hummus Recalled for Possible Listeria Contamination
Spokane Produce is recalling approximately 59 pounds of Victor’s Sesame Hummus due to concerns about possible Listeria Monocytogenes. The recalled product is labeled with UPC 6 09722 76501 5 and a best-by date of 12/29/13.
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Montana Readies Online Permit System to Salvage Road-Killed Big-Game Animals
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is devising an online permitting system so people can legally salvage big-game animals (moose, elk, deer or antelope) killed on the highway by vehicles. The new
Continue Reading Montana Readies Online Permit System to Salvage Road-Killed Big-Game Animals
Just One Vote Keeps Ban on Raw Milk Sales in Montana
The Montana Alliance for Raw Milk (MTARM) fell just one vote short Thursday, meaning it will remain illegal for anyone in the Big Sky state to sell raw milk for human consumption. 
And it was
Continue Reading Just One Vote Keeps Ban on Raw Milk Sales in Montana
Montana Farms and Ranches With Small Herds to Sell Raw Milk
Update: Senate Bill 574 failed to achieve the required two-thirds vote in the Montana Senate on April 17 and is probably dead for this session. The super majority was required to limit governmental liability
Continue Reading Montana Farms and Ranches With Small Herds to Sell Raw Milk
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe Expected to Sign Raw Milk Bill
His office in Little Rock is putting out the word that Gov. Mike Beebe will sign House Bill (HB) 1536, allowing the “incidental sale” of raw milk in Arkansas. The Arkansas raw milk bill, once
Continue Reading Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe Expected to Sign Raw Milk Bill
Votes in Second House Near for Raw Milk Bills in 2 States
Raw milk bills have already passed in the lower houses of the Montana and Arkansas legislatures, and now appear to be headed for up-or-down votes on final passage in the Senate of each of those
Continue Reading Votes in Second House Near for Raw Milk Bills in 2 States