Published on: February 17, 2012
• The
Associated Press reports that Publix Supermarkets has been cited for 16 safety and health violations in the case of a man who had his hand amputated while he was cleaning conveyor equipment at one of its warehouses.
Proposed penalties total $182,000.
Publix says it plans to appeal the OSHA ruling.
• The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) welcomed the introduction of Resolutions of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, which would overturn a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision that dramatically shortens the election period before a unionization vote.
“We applaud the introduction of these resolutions and urge that Congress act quickly to pass them in order to protect the rights of workers. These resolutions overturn an ill-conceived NLRB decision that would deny employees access to critical information and time to consider the issues at hand prior to entering the voting booth in a union election,” said Katherine Lugar, RILA’s executive vice president for public affairs.
• Kansas City-based Price Chopper has launched what it is calling its “Meal Central Solutions Center,” which it says “gives Price Chopper Shoppers a new meal plan each week in a central, highly-visible display. The meal always includes a center plate item, and an assortment of sides and/or a dessert. Also included in the Meal Central display case are a Meal Central recipe for one of the menu items (printed on a free recipe card or available electronically via a QR code), the main ingredients (protein, suggested sides and/or dessert), and a discounted package price for the entire meal.
• The
Associated Press reports that Mars Inc. has decided to stop making king-sized versions of its candy bars, and now will only market items of 250 calories-per-serving or less.
According to the story, “Representatives from Mars declined to provide further details Thursday, noting that it has not yet finalized how it will reach its caloric goals. But the company said in an emailed statement that it has shown a ‘broad -based commitment to health and nutrition’ in recent years.”
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Food Safety News reports that “foods regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were recalled 50 percent more in the fourth quarter last year and affected over 80 percent more units when compared with the previous period, according to the ExpertRECALL ™ Index.
“The quarterly ExpertRECALL™ Index was released Tuesday, showing 2011 ended with a surge of food recalls led by undeclared allergens, which accounted for more than one in three food recalls during the quarter.”