Click here to see a slide show of the 2009 Conference

THANK YOU!
Thank you to all the attendees, speakers and sponsors. You made the conference a success. PFMA/PCSC staff and members appreciate your support. (More)

Update On the Swine Flu
There is quite a bit of information, and misinformation, being circulated about the swine influenza outbreak. We encourage you to rely only on official sources of information. Also, please note that this is NOT a food safety issue since swine flu is not transmitted via food... (More)

Do You Need Recall Information?
Get updates on the latest recalls... (More)

Final COOL Rule Took Effect on MARCH 16, 2009
Feb. 20, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the final rule for the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) program will go into effect as scheduled on March 16th... (More)

Diesel-Powered Vehicle Idling Act Calls for Signage Compliance
On October 9, 2008, Governor Rendell signed Senate Bill 295 into law which is known as the Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act. In addition to placing restrictions on the idling of diesel-powered vehicles, the Act requires landlords to comply with certain signage requirements and imposes liability for violations of the Act on owners and operators of locations where vehicles subject to the Act load, unload or park. The Act will take effect on February 6, 2009, and, except in limited circumstances, preempts all local ordinances and rules regarding the subject matter of the Act. (More)

2009 Calendar and Vacation Planner Available
Our 2009 calendar and vacation planners are now available to print. (More)

UPDATE Your PFMA Member Emergency Contact Information for 2009!
During an emergency situation involving the food industry, PFMA staff or PFMA’s Emergency Food Distribution Work Group Designee will be recruited to help disseminate crucial information from state agencies. We may be asked to communicate important updates to members instead of state or local agencies making personal contact. Having this information will allow PFMA staff to contact you in case of a foodborne illness outbreak, safety alert, pandemic occurrence, power grid restoration order notification or to provide road closing/travel advisory updates in an emergency... (More)

Comply with the Pa. Clean Indoor Air Act
Governor Rendell signed Pennsylvania's Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) into law on June 13, 2008. The legislation (Senate Bill 246) prohibits smoking in a public place or a workplace and lists examples of what is considered a public place... (More)

PEMA Directive Authorizes Food Deliveries During Emergencies
Since September 11, 2001, PFMA members have been concerned about the clearance of essential food deliveries during an emergency situation. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has issued a directive on the subject... (More)

Legislative Key Votes
Interested in seeing how your legislators voted on the hot bills? (More)

Retailers Must Comply with the Pa. Tobacco Directory Act
Under the Pennsylvania Directory Act, which was passed into law in December 2003, only cigarette brands that are registered on the Directory may be sold in Pennsylvania... (More)

Avian Influenza & Pandemic Preparedness
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Revenue Dept. Calls for Payment of Use Tax
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has launched a campaign to increase business taxpayers' awareness of reporting and paying state Use Tax... (More)

PFMA Members Can Find Out How to Start Their Own Composting Programs
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Looking For a Composting Facility For Your Store's Food Waste?
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Food Employee Certification Regulation Info.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture adopted Food Employee Certification final regulations on August 7, 2004. The regulation implements minimum food safety training requirements for food establishments within the state. (More)

Which agency to contact during a food tampering incident
Between February and March of 2008 there were a number of food tampering incidents that took place in Pennsylvania. In each case there was confusion as to which agency to contact to report an incident... (More)

Interested In Becoming an Authorized Food Stamp Program Retailer?
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Submitting Multiple Vouchers; Changing Bank Info.
Retailers can now contact JP Morgan to submit multiple manual Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) voucher requests and change banking information. (More)

Damaged EBT Card/Retailer Letter
If you find that customers are repeatedly coming in with damaged EBT cards that do not scan properly, you can provide the customer a letter encouraging them to obtain a replacement. (More)

WIC Quarterly Prices
The Pennsylvania WIC Program has published its maximum allowable and competitive price lists for the third calendar quarter of 2009, July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009 for the various retailer types. Your stores must have the minimum inventory of WIC items priced at or below the competitive price levels... (More)

Pennsylvania State, County and Local Level Food Regulation Information

Visit our legislative/regulatory page for other hot issues.