2026 Regulatory Workshop
Registration Open

2026 Regulatory Workshop

The Regulatory Workshop features presentations by subject matter experts, topical panels, facilitated group discussions, and unique networking opportunities to connect with colleagues.

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

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 Cadwalader
555 13th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

Date

October 6-7, 2026

Ambassador Sponsors
Diplomat Sponsors
Welcome and closing reception Sponsors
Lunch Sponsors
Lanyard Sponsors

Registration

Early Bird

Register by

Friday, September 4, 2026

Regular

Register by

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Virtual

Register by

Friday, October 2, 2026

$825 - Member

$925 - Member

$625 - Member

$1,495 - Non-member

$1,495 - Non-member

$995 - Non-member

In-person registration for this event is currently sold out. Please email [email protected] with your name, company, and email address to be placed on the waitlist. Staff will notify individuals on a first-come, first-served basis as space becomes available.

There is still an opportunity to join us virtually. Click here to register for the virtual event.

Meeting Venue

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

Proof of identity with a government-issued ID is required to enter the building.

Registration Deadline

Registration for the virtual workshop ends October 2, 2026. 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

No refund will be issued for cancellations received after September 25. Refunds for payments made via check or wire will be processed after the event.

Substitutions

Attendee substitutions may be made at any time before the event, provided the substitute is from the same organization.

Suitcasing Policy

ASTA shall have a zero-tolerance policy for suitcasing at the ASTA Regulatory Workshop 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 you opt out, 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.

Code of Conduct

By completing this event registration, ASTA members acknowledge that they have reviewed and agree to abide by the Association’s Code of Conduct policy, which is available on the ASTA website.

Registration Questions?

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

Ambassador Sponsors
Diplomat Sponsors
Welcome and closing reception Sponsors
Lunch Sponsors
Lanyard Sponsors

Hotel & Travel

The penthouse level suites hotel homepage banner

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 Circle 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. 

Attendees who still need accommodations at The Dupont Circle Hotel should contact the hotel directly at 202 483 6000 or visit the hotel's reservation page to check availability and make a reservation.

Transportation

The hotel is 4.6 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) by car. The nearest Metro Station (Dupont Circle) is just minutes from the entrance of the hotel. For more information, click here.

Traveling to Hogan Lovells Cadwalader

The hotel is 1.5 miles from Hogan Lovells Cadwalader where the meeting will be held. The Dupont Metro Station is next to the hotel and is on the Red Line, two stops from Metro Center which is the station next to Hogan Lovells. For more details, click here.

DC has a plethora of taxis and ride-share options, the journey is approximately 10 mins. 

Parking for Hogan Lovells Cadwalader

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

Ambassador Sponsors
Diplomat Sponsors
Welcome and closing reception Sponsors
Lunch Sponsors
Lanyard Sponsors

Program

Monday, October 5

9:00am - 3:00pm

ASTA Board of Directors Meeting with Committee Chairs

Invite Only
3:00-5:00pm

Congressional Spice Caucus Briefing & Reception

Invite Only
7:00 - 9:00pm

Board & Committee Chair Dinner

Invite Only

Tuesday, October 6

8:30 - 9:30am

Analytical Methods Subcommittee

Invite Only
9:00 - 10:00am

Education Leadership Council

Invite Only
10:00 - 11:00am

Science & Regulatory Committee

Invite Only
11:30 - 12:30pm

Town Hall and Welcome Lunch

Exclusively sponsored by Merieux NutriSciences

1:00 - 1:30pm

Keynote: FDA Food Policy Priorities

Dr. Donald Prater, FDA Acting Deputy Commissioner for Food, will provide an overview of the agency's current food policy priorities and what they could mean for the spice industry.

1:30 - 2:15pm

Panel Discussion: Federal Preemption vs. State Requirements in Food Policy

Experts will examine the growing tension between state-level food requirements and federal standards, including the implications for companies navigating the patchwork of requirements and efforts to promote a uniform federal standard. 

2:15 - 2:45pm

Virtual Coffee Break

2:45 - 3:15pm

New York State Heavy Metal Limits for Spices: What You Need to Know

Hear directly from New York State’s Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets about the latest recall action limits for lead, cadmium, and arsenic in spices and what they mean for industry.

3:15 - 4:15pm

Interactive Group Discussion: Navigating Pesticide MRLs and Chemical Hazards

Work through real-world case studies to explore how companies can assess safety and compliance when pesticide tolerances or other regulatory guidance are unavailable or unclear. 

4:15 - 5:00pm

ASTA Advocacy Update: From Defense to Offense

Get an update on ASTA's advocacy and public policy priorities, and efforts to address emerging regulatory and trade challenges while proactively building support for the industry, including through the new "Spice Cabinet," the bipartisan Congressional Spice Caucus.

6:30 - 9:00pm

Welcome Reception at India House in Collaboration with the Embassy of India

Off-Site

Transportation will be provided to and from the Dupont Circle Hotel for the embassy reception.

Exclusively sponsored by Jayanti Herbs & Spice

Wednesday, October 7

8:00 - 9:00am

Microbiology Subcommittee

Invite Only
9:00 - 10:00am

AI and Food Safety: Opportunity, Risk and Practical Uses

Explore how AI can support food safety decision-making, how to evaluate and validate AI tools for your operation, what risks they introduce, and whether they can improve on existing approaches.

10:00 - 10:30am

Virtual Coffee Break (Networking & Facilitated Q&A)

10:30 - 11:15am

Cesium-137 and Indonesian Spices: Lessons Learned and What Comes Next

FDA and industry experts will examine how an unexpected contamination of spices with cesium-137 triggered new import requirements for Indonesian spices, provide an update on the current status, and discuss potential next steps to reduce unnecessary burdens on importers.

11:15am - 12:00pm

Interactive Group Discussion: Setting Expectations for Validation Across the Supply Chain

Work with peers to explore how validation studies are being used in the spice supply chain and how companies can establish and communicate clear expectations with suppliers and customers.

11:15am - 12:00pm

“Fireside Chat” with Laura Shumow.

Virtual

Virtual attendees will join an exclusive, “Fireside Chat” with Laura Shumow.

12:00 - 1:00pm

Lunch

Exclusively sponsored by ofi

1:00 - 2:00pm

Pesticide Policy: MAHA, Agriculture and the Future of Crop Protection

Hear perspectives from the MAHA movement and CropLife America on evolving pesticide policy, including concerns about public health and chemical exposure, the realities of crop protection and food production, farmer viability, and opportunities for constructive collaboration.

2:00 - 2:30pm

Low-Moisture Foods Guidance: From Draft Guidance to Practical Application

Examine the practical considerations of FDA’s draft guidance for low-moisture ready-to-eat foods and how its recommendations are being applied across herb and spice operations and other low moisture food categories.

2:30 - 3:00pm

Coffee Break (Virtual Break)

3:00 - 3:45pm

Group Discussion: Genetic Testing for Spice Purity: Pitfalls, Potential and Practical Applications

Learn what Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) can and cannot tell you about spice purity, explore the technology's practical limitations, and discuss where it may fit in the spice industry.

3:45 - 4:15pm

Emerging Trade Policy and Due Diligence: What's Changing for Spice Importers?

Explore evolving trade policies, enhanced customs enforcement priorities and emerging due diligence requirements in herb and spice supply chains.

4:15 - 5:00pm

Regulatory Roundup & Wrap Up: What Spice Companies Need to Know

Close out the workshop with a practical review of the latest food safety, import enforcement, inspection and regulatory developments, with a focus on emerging issues and key takeaways for spice companies.

5:00 - 7:00pm

Closing Rooftop Reception

Exclusively sponsored by Eurofins

Ambassador Sponsors
Diplomat Sponsors
Welcome and closing reception Sponsors
Lunch Sponsors
Lanyard Sponsors

Speakers

Ambassador Sponsors
Diplomat Sponsors
Welcome and closing reception Sponsors
Lunch Sponsors
Lanyard Sponsors

Sponsorship Opportunities

Thank you to the companies supporting ASTA’s 2026 Regulatory Workshop.

All sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Regulatory Workshop have now been filled. We appreciate the strong support from across the spice trade.

If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities or would like to be considered for future ASTA events, please contact Margarita Passero at [email protected].

Ambassador Sponsors
Diplomat Sponsors
Welcome and closing reception Sponsors
Lunch Sponsors
Lanyard Sponsors

Join Virtually

The 2026 ASTA Regulatory Workshop is sold out for in-person attendance, but virtual registration is still open to ASTA members and non-members.

Join us October 6–7 for two days of regulatory insights, expert speakers and panelists, timely discussions, and opportunities to connect, network and participate, all from the comfort of your home or office.

THIS IS MORE THAN A LIVESTREAM. 

We’ve built a new and improved virtual experience that brings much of the two-day in-person program to while offering virtual attendees exclusive opportunities and added value, including:

  • Virtual-only programming, including an exclusive Q&A with ASTA Executive Director Laura Shumow
  • Priority opportunities to submit questions to speakers, panelists and other experts
  • Virtual networking opportunities designed specifically for online participants
  • Dedicated facilitators to help with questions and troubleshooting
  • Substantive programming and expert perspectives featured throughout the Regulatory Workshop
  • Complimentary registration for ASTA’s Regulation 101 presentation, an added opportunity to strengthen your regulatory knowledge

Whether you’re at your desk, working from home, or joining us from across the country or around the world, virtual attendees are an important part of this year’s Workshop.

You won’t simply be watching from the sidelines. You’ll have opportunities to ask questions, engage with speakers, connect with other attendees and participate throughout the two-day program.

Can’t make it to Washington? Pull up a chair and join us virtually.

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].

Ambassador Sponsors
Diplomat Sponsors
Welcome and closing reception Sponsors
Lunch Sponsors
Lanyard Sponsors