2025 Regulatory Workshop

2025 Regulatory Workshop

The 2025 ASTA Regulatory Workshop was held in Washington, DC, from September 9 to 10, 2025

This is a past event. Registration is closed.

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 featured 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 provided timely updates on emerging issues in food policy and spice regulations, including state and federal legislative developments, ingredient safety, contaminants, allergens, and more. Participants discovered how to navigate changing regulations as they impact the spice supply chain and heard first-hand from government agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, on policies impacting spices. 

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Reception Sponsors
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Archived Presentations

PowerPoint slides in PDF format and recordings from presentations provided during the event were circulated to registered attendees on the Member Dashboard. Some presentations will be added to the Archived Presentations and in ASTA Resource Library for all ASTA members to access at a later date. 

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

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.

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.

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.

Evolving International Regulations Impacting Spices

This session will provide an overview of the role of Codex Alimentarius in influencing global regulations and promoting global regulatory harmonization. Nick Gardner will explain the foundations of Codex Alimentarius and summarize recent developments of interest to the spice industry, including discussions on country of harvest labeling and contaminant standards. He will also examine the potential ramifications of the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization and how this may influence the U.S.'s role in international food policy.

ASTA Advocacy Update

Join ASTA’s advocacy team and partners for an insider’s look at the evolving trade and tariff landscape impacting the spice industry. Panelists will share updates on key negotiations and policy developments, highlight ASTA’s public affairs and coalition-building efforts, and provide insights from outreach with U.S. and international policymakers. The session will also feature a moderated Q&A exploring what success looks like for ASTA’s advocacy.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

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.

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.

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. This session was in-person only, no virtual participation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ambassador Sponsors
Diplomat Sponsors
Reception Sponsors
Lunch Sponsors
Lanyard Sponsors