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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.