State Releases Draft Rule with Exceptions to Prop 65 Labeling
The Office of Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) released a draft rule providing specific, limited exceptions from the warning label requirements of Proposition 65 (Prop 65) for certain chemicals created as a result of cooking.
Ag Council appreciates this recognition by the state and is consulting with its members to weigh-in during the regulatory comment period.
Starting with acrylamide, OEHHA’s draft rule includes maximum average concentration levels and maximum unit concentration levels for foods and food groups that have incidents of acrylamide as a result of the heating or cooking process. The maximum levels will serve as a safe harbor from the warning label requirements. This regulation can be expanded to include other chemicals created from the heating process, as well, such as furfuryl alcohol
The opening comments of the draft rule state, “OEHHA recognizes the importance of promoting healthy eating choices and the important role a balanced diet plays in promoting and maintaining optimal health. This regulatory action will protect the health and welfare of the California public by incentivizing businesses to reduce levels of certain listed chemicals in their food products, as well as avoid consumer confusion that could result from a proliferation of warnings on foods.”
As background, California voters approved Prop 65 as a ballot initiative in 1986. The proposition was written to protect drinking water sources from contamination by chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Prop 65 requires businesses to informCalifornians about exposures to such chemicals.
Ag Council will work with its members to submit comments, which are due on October 6, 2020.
Information regarding the draft regulation is available by clicking HERE.
Webinar on Employee Transportation During COVID-19
Ag Council’s allied member, Zenith, is offering a complimentary webinar briefing on August 14 to provide guidance regarding employee transportation in agriculture and food production during the pandemic.
The webinar topic is “Employee Best Transportation Practices Under COVID-19.” Employer, driver and passenger responsibilities will be discussed.
Ag Council thanks Zenith for providing this partnership opportunity as another tool to help protect the health, safety and well-being of employees. As background, Zenith offers insurance solutions for California agriculture.
Please click HERE for more details and to register. The webinar is the last in a series of briefings and will be held on August 14 at 10 a.m.
New Allied Member – Romo Incentives Group
Ag Council welcomes Romo Incentives Group as a new Allied Member. For over 20 years, Romo Incentives Group has specialized in identifying and securing tax incentives for California ag businesses.
Many businesses could obtain tax benefits but do not claim them due to the expertise and time needed to recognize and secure these tax credits. Some of the tax credits available to ag businesses include the R&D Tax Credit, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, and Cost Segregation Analysis.
Romo Incentive Group’s credentialed and experienced staff includes CPAs, former Internal Revenue Service and state taxation agents, as well as tax professionals with extensive experience in tax incentives. From the largest growers in the nation with multistate operations, to small family owned farms, Romo Incentives Group saves its client tens of millions of dollars every year.
For more information about Romo Incentives Group, please contact Albert Romo at ph. (916) 941-8383 or via email aromo@romogroup.com.
To view the LinkedIn profile for Romo Incentives Group, please click HERE.