2025 Regulatory Workshop
Registration Open

2025 Regulatory Workshop

This event’s robust programming features presentations by subject matter experts, topical panels, facilitated group discussions, and unique networking opportunities to connect with colleagues in the spice trade.

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Held annually in Washington, D.C., ASTA’s Regulatory Workshop is designed to bring together the spice industry with regulatory experts, U.S. government officials, and policymakers to discuss vital topics related to food safety and regulatory compliance for spices. This event’s robust programming features presentations by subject matter experts, topical panels, facilitated group discussions, and unique networking opportunities to connect with colleagues in the spice trade.  

ASTA’s informative sessions will provide timely updates on emerging issues in food policy and spice regulations, including state and federal legislative developments, ingredient safety, contaminants, allergens, and more. Discover how to navigate changing regulations as they impact the spice supply chain. Hear first-hand from government agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, on policies impacting spices. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of evolving regulatory policies and ensure compliance with changing standards in the spice industry!

 

Venue

Hogan Lovells
555 13th Street NW, Washington DC, 20004

 

Register online by Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Registration

Early Bird

Register by

Friday, August 9, 2025

Regular

Register by

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Virtual

Register by

Friday, September 5, 2025

$725 – Member

$825 – Member

$425 – Member

$1,095 – Non-member

$1,095 – Non-member

$625 – Non-member

All credit card payments must be made online through ASTA’s website. If you do not have a login or wish to pay via check or wire, please contact [email protected].

Meeting Venue 

Hogan Lovells 
555 13th Street NW, Washington DC, 20004 
Proof of identity with a government issued ID is required to enter the building.

Registration Deadline

Advance registration to attend the workshop in-person ends September 4, 2025. Registration for the virtual workshop ends September 5, 2025. After that date, you must register via phone/email, pending availability. Registration must be completed in advance of the meeting. There will be no on-site registration. 

Cancellations

All refund/cancellation requests must be received in writing. Cancellations received on or before Friday, August 15, 2025, will receive a full refund minus a $45 processing fee. Cancellations received between Friday, August 15, 2025, and August 29, 2025, will receive a 50% refund. No refund will be issued for cancellations received after August 29, 2025. Refunds for payments made via check or wire will be processed after the event. 

Substitutions

Attendee substitutions must be made before August 29, 2025, provided the substitute is from the same organization.

Suitcasing Policy

ASTA shall have a zero-tolerance policy for suitcasing at the ASTA Annual Meeting or any other ASTA event. Suitcasing is the practice in which companies gain access to an ASTA event, typically by either registering no company employee for the event or registering only one or some company employees for the event, and then such company representatives hold competing events or conduct business with legitimately registered event attendees at the event venue, whether in reserved venue space such as a hotel room or in other public spaces at the event venue. Violators may be subject to the potential penalties outlined in the ASTA Suitcasing Policy.

Photo/Film Policy

ASTA may take photographs or film during the event. By participating in the event, you authorize ASTA, without limitation, the right to reproduce, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute any such film or photograph and waive all rights or claims you may have against ASTA and/or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, or Assignees.

Data Collection

By completing this event registration, ASTA is collecting your name, email, address, company affiliation, personal preferences, and payment information so that ASTA can facilitate, process, and confirm your registration for this event. Additionally, unless otherwise expressly requested by ASTA, by completing the following event registration form, your name, address, and company affiliation will be included in the ASTA event attendee list, provided electronically and in hardcopy to other ASTA event attendees and speakers. Learn more about ASTA's Privacy Policy.

 

Registration Questions?

Contact ASTA at [email protected] or 202-331-2460. 

 

Hotel & Travel

Dupont hotel img

The Dupont Circle Hotel

1500 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

 

Ideally located in the heart of historic Dupont Circle, the Dupont Circle Hotel is just a short stroll from many of DC’s key attractions.

The Dupont Hotel is a luxury hotel that weaves contemporary comfort and style with a 1950s aesthetic that pays homage to the building’s mid-century beginnings.

The hotel offers spacious guest rooms, comfortable communal spaces, a coffee shop, a restaurant, and a lounge-like bar with panoramic views of Dupont Circle.

ASTA has negotiated a group room rate of $339 per night, plus tax, single/double occupancy. The rate is available until Monday August 18, 2025, based on availability. ASTA recommends you make your room reservations as early as possible to ensure rooms are available.

Transportation

The hotel is 4.6 miles from Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) by car. The nearest Metro Station (Dupont Circle) is just moments from the entrance of the hotel. For further information on transportation.

Travelling to Hogan Lovells

The hotel is 1.5 miles from Hogan Lovells where the meeting will be held. The Dupont Metro station is next to the hotel and is on the red line, 2 stops from Metro Center which is the station next to Hogan Lovells, for more details.

DC has a plethora of taxis and share-rides, the journey is approx. 10 mins.

Parking at Hogan Lovells

Parking is available at the Columbia Square Parking Garage (accessible via 12th Street). Use the garage elevator to reach the lobby level and follow the signs to the security check-in.

Program

Check out ASTA’s robust educational program that promises an informative experience for spice industry professionals. Please note this is a developing agenda and is subject to change. 

Click here to view the schedule for the Board of Directors Meeting and Committee Chair Activities held in advance of the Regulatory Workshop on Monday, September 8, 2025. More information about ASTA’s closed Committee Meetings, which will be held throughout the Regulatory Workshop is also available on the Board & Committee Meetings page.

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Lunch

1:00pm – 1:05pm

Welcome & Introductions

1:05pm – 2:00pm

Navigating food policy in the Trump era

From "Make America Healthy Again" to tariffs, the Trump administration is keeping everyone in Washington on their toes. Is the FDA actually going to ban synthetic food dyes? What's happening with ultra-processed foods? What does MAHA think about spices? Veteran journalist Helena Bottemiller Evich will walk us through the fast-changing food policy landscape.

2:00pm – 2:45pm

Update on State Activity on Food Ingredients

States are increasingly enacting their own food ingredient safety laws, often exceeding federal standards and creating a patchwork of regulatory requirements for food manufacturers. This session will provide an update on recent state-level activity, including bans on specific food colors and additives, new chemical disclosure and labeling requirements, and other ingredient-related legislation. Special attention will be given to New York’s proposed lead limits in spices and broader implications for the spice supply chain.

2:30pm – 3:00pm

Break

3:00 pm – 3:45 pm

The Food Policy Environment under the Trump Administration

Gain firsthand insights from a former chemical and food regulator on what to expect from the new administration. This session will explore early policy signals on pesticides, chemical contaminants, food safety, and nutrition—and what they could mean for the food and agriculture industries.

3:45 pm – 4:15 pm

Evolving International Regulations Impacting Spices

This session will provide a timely update on key developments at Codex and within the EU, including discussions on country of harvest labeling, contaminant standards, and more. The speaker will also examine the potential ramifications of the U.S. withdrawal form the World Health Organization and how this may influence the country’s role in international food policy.

4:15 pm – 5:00 pm

ASTA Advocacy Update

Hear how ASTA is working to advocate for the spice industry, promote food safety, and advance industry interests! Get the latest updates on crucial topics such as tariffs and trade, and more!

5:00pm – 7:00pm

Rooftop Welcome Reception

Meet and mingle with fellow attendees atop the Hogan Lovells rooftop as you enjoy light drinks and appetizers while overlooking the historic downtown D.C. skyline.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

8:00am – 9:00am

Breakfast

9:00am – 10:00am

Keynote Address

Join a discussion with Mark Hartman, Director of Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements and Innovation at the Food and Drug Administration for an update on the current food policy landscape and FDA’s regulatory priorities, particularly as they relate to ingredient safety, enforcement, trade, and contaminants in the food supply.

  • Mark Hartman, Food and Drug Administration (Invited)
10:00am – 10:30am

Break

10:30am – 11:00am

Through the Lens of MAHA: How Do We Promote the Benefits of Spices?

As the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement encourages food manufacturers to phase out artificial ingredients and promote healthful dietary choices, spice manufacturers have an opportunity to promote spices as natural healthy alternatives. This session will explore how to effectively position the benefits of spices while ensuring claims are compliant. Hear hot topics, emerging trends and regulatory watchouts in health labeling and promotions.

11:00am – 12:00pm

Fraud & Tariffs: What Are the New Adulteration Pressures in Our Industry?

Evolving tariff and trade policy has created new economic pressures which may increase the risk of economically motivated adulteration in countries of origin. In this interactive session, attendees will explore how these dynamics are impacting the spice industry, explore effective strategies to protect supply chains, and discuss how we can collaborate as a sector to uphold the highest standards of quality and authenticity.

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Lunch

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Panel: Evolving Allergen Risks, Regulatory Perspectives, and Global Approaches

This panel session will unpack FDA’s recent guidance and industry engagement on allergens, including the agency’s current thinking on labeling, enforcement, and thresholds, as well as provide insight on how global regulatory bodies are approaching allergen management. Learn more about how the growing regulatory focus on allergens may impact your operations, and walk through how allergen risk assessments may be conducted for spices.

2:00pm – 2:45pm

Regulatory & Industry Updates on Heavy Metals, Pesticides, and Other Contaminants

This session will provide an update on the latest regulatory developments and industry responses to heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants both domestically and globally.

2:45pm – 3:15pm

Break

3:15pm – 3:45pm

Imports & Inspections Update

Stay up to date on the latest trends in FDA import and facility inspections. This session will provide key updates on entry review, sampling, and compliance expectations, along with practical guidance to help spice importers navigate inspections, avoid unnecessary delays, and streamline the import process.

3:45pm – 4:15pm

USDA Update on Recent Food Safety Regulations for FSIS-Regulated Products

This session will provide an overview of recent regulatory updates from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) relevant to FSIS-regulated products, and explore how these changes may impact spice use in processed products, ingredient sourcing, labeling, and compliance expectations.

4:15pm – 4:30pm

Wrap-Up & Closing

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Closing Reception

Details to be announced.

Thursday, September 11, 2025

9:00 am – 12:00 am

USDA Meet & Greet (invite-only, tentative)

Details to be announced.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Promote your company's services and enhance your brand’s visibility among companies and professionals in the spice trade. Sponsorships for the 2025 Regulatory Workshop are available exclusively to ASTA members and are first-come, first-serve.  

Exclusive Sponsorships

Welcome Reception Sponsor

Support the reception as an exclusive sponsor. Your sponsorship includes recognition with your company logo on the event banner, signage at the reception, website pages for the event, intermission slides during the event, marketing, and communications, branded cocktail napkins at the reception, and the opportunity for a representative from your company to provide opening remarks at the reception.  

$4,000

Lanyard Sponsor (SOLD!)

$3,500

Lunch Sponsor (NEW!)

ASTA will provide lunch for all registered attendees on Tuesday and Wednesday. Lend your support to help us refuel attendees with a lunch buffet. As a sponsor, recognition includes your company logo featured in all event promotions (website page, signage on-site, and intermission slides during the meeting). Sponsors also get the unique opportunity to showcase their brand with a two-minutes video or live presentation featuring their products and services before the break. The staff will work with you on this opportunity. We have two sponsor opportunities, and these are sold on a first-come basis.

$3,500

Signature Sponsorships

Ambassador Sponsor

Your company will receive all Diplomat Sponsor benefits. Additionally, you receive the opportunity to provide a 2-minute video or presentation to highlight your company’s products and services or else the opportunity to introduce a session. The opportunity to present a 2-minute video or presentation to highlight your company’s products and services is limited to one sponsor per session, first-come first-serve. 

$3,000

Diplomat Sponsor

Your company will receive recognition with your company logo on the event banner, website pages for the event, intermission slides during the event, marketing, and communications. Additionally, you will receive advertising space in the FYI ASTA newsletter for a three-month period. 

$1,500

Please get in touch with ASTA at [email protected] or 202-331-2460 if you have any questions.

Board & Committee Meetings

The Board of Directors Meeting and Committee Chair Activities will be held in advance of the Regulatory Workshop on Monday, September 8, 2025. Subsequent committee meetings will be held throughout the workshop, as outlined in the schedule below. Please note that these are closed meetings and require invitation to attend. This a developing agenda and is subject to change.

Monday, September 8, 2025

8:00am - 5:00pm

Board of Directors Meeting and Committee Chair Activities

Invitation Only

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

8:00am - 9:00am

Analytical Methods Subcommittee

Invitation only; Breakfast provided

This is a closed meeting for Analytical Methods Subcommittee members and invited guests. Individuals from ASTA member companies interested in participating should contact [email protected].

9:15am - 12:00pm

Science & Regulatory Committee

Invitation only

This is a closed meeting for Science & Regulatory Committee members and invited guests. Individuals from ASTA member companies interested in participating should contact [email protected].

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

8:00am - 8:45am

Spice Integrity Committee

Invitation only; Breakfast provided

This is a closed meeting for Spice Integrity Committee members and invited guests. Individuals from ASTA member companies interested in participating should contact [email protected].

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Organic Committee

Invitation only; Lunch provided

This is a closed meeting for Organic Committee members and invited guests. Individuals from ASTA member companies interested in participating should contact [email protected].