U.S. Spice Regulations 101: A Webinar Series for Global Spice Suppliers
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U.S. Spice Regulations 101: A Webinar Series for Global Spice Suppliers

Join this 10-part webinar series from July 22 through August 21, 2025

Overview

Compliance with U.S. regulations is an essential requirement for global spice suppliers looking to sell into the U.S. market. This 10-part series is designed to provide an overview of the U.S. federal and state laws and regulations that spice importers need to know, including food safety, labeling, import, contaminant, packaging and ingredient requirements.

Presentations by leading regulatory and legal experts will be broadcast live via Zoom twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 10am ET.  The series runs from July 22 through August 21.  Please view the Webinar Schedule for the complete list of speakers and sessions.

 

Register Today

You must purchase the complete series to access the Live broadcast and recordings.  Special pricing is available for ASTA member companies that wish to have subsequent registrants from the same company.  To receive this special pricing, you must log in with your member login and register everyone from your ASTA member company at one time for the pricing structure to populate at checkout. Please refer to the table below for the pricing structure. If you have any questions, please contact the ASTA office at 202-331-2460. 

Pricing

Member

$995

Member Subsequent Registrants

$195

Non-Member

$1,995

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Advance registration is required. To receive a login for the first session on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, you must register by Wednesday, July 16, 2025. 

CANCELLATIONS/SUBSTITUTIONS
Refunds will not be issued for cancellations.

OFFICIAL SHARING POLICY
Sharing Zoom links to access the live webinar is prohibited. To receive a link to access the webinar, you must register online before the posted deadline.  Registrants are not to share the recordings. Posted live recordings will be available for purchase at a later date.  

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

Webinar Schedule

 

Tuesday, July 22 @ 10:00am ET

Intro to U.S. Food Law & Regulations

In this introductory session, speakers Bob Durkin & Ivan Wasserman will provide a foundational overview of key U.S. laws and regulatory authorities relevant to the U.S. spice industry. This session will introduce the key federal and state agencies involved in food regulation—including the FDA, USDA, EPA, FTC, and CBP—and explain their roles in overseeing the spice market. Attendees will also gain insight into the major laws and regulatory frameworks that govern food safety, labeling, ingredient approvals, contaminants, and import compliance. This session sets the stage for understanding the regulatory landscape that spice suppliers must navigate to access and maintain a presence in the U.S. market.

Thursday, July 24 @ 10:00am ET

Food Safety Essentials: Understanding the FSMA Regulations

Since it was signed into law in 2011, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has transformed food safety throughout the spice supply chain for suppliers, manufacturers, and importers. In this session, Maile Gradison and Mary Grywatch will provide a comprehensive introduction to the key FSMA regulations, including the development of food safety plans, and the importance of preventive controls and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), under the Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation. The session will also cover the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), food defense, sanitary food transportation, and traceability rules. Additionally, it will cover related foundational requirements that pre-dated FSMA, such as FDA food facility registration obligations and Reportable Food Registry (RFP) filing requirements.

Tuesday, July 29 @ 10:00am ET

Import Inspections, Facility Inspections, FDA Enforcement, and Recalls

This session provides a detailed overview of import requirements and how U.S. authorities monitor compliance and enforce food regulatory violations. Speakers John F. Johnson, Maile Gradison, and Joe Scheele will cover topics including the role of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in spice product entry, the mechanics of FDA import alerts, and import detention procedures. They also will discuss the role of FDA’s facility inspections and corresponding enforcement tools, such as 483s and Warning Letters, as well as recalls. This session will provide spice suppliers with the practical knowledge needed to avoid import delays, detentions, and rejections, as well as manage FDA inspections and enforcement.

Thursday, July 31 @ 10:00am ET

U.S. Regulations on Heavy Metals, Contaminants & California Prop 65

This session will offer an overview of U.S. regulations for contaminants in spices, with a focus on heavy metals such as lead. Laura Shumow will discuss the broader federal regulatory framework and industry guidance for managing heavy metals and other contaminants in spices, while Gary M. Roberts will provide an in-depth look at California’s Proposition 65, including recent developments in enforcement and litigation. Together, they will offer practical insights to help spice importers navigate both federal and state requirements related to contaminants.

Tuesday, August 5 @ 10:00am ET

Pesticide Puzzles: Navigating U.S. Pesticide Regulations for Spices

The global spice trade faces a growing challenge: navigating a fragmented and often inconsistent patchwork of international pesticide regulations. This session unpacks the U.S. regulatory framework for pesticide residues on spices, current enforcement trends, key differences between U.S. and international standards. Attendees will gain practical insights into risk mitigation strategies, compliance tools, and best practices for meeting U.S. expectations.

Thursday, August 7 @ 10:00am ET

Understanding Allergen Regulations for Spices: From Detection to Declaration

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of U.S. allergen regulations as they relate to the spice industry, including labeling requirements, cross-contact controls, and preventive measures under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Former FDA Food Allergen Coordinator, Steve Gendel, will also offer a comparative perspective on global allergen standards, and explore available detection methods, risk mitigation strategies, and recent enforcement actions involving spices.

Tuesday, August 12 @ 10:00am ET

A Seasoned Guide to U.S. Labeling Rules

Whether printing bulk drums or preparing finished spice products, labeling is a fundamental regulatory requirements for spices. In this session, speakers Veronica Colas and Rachel Buff will provide an overview of U.S. labeling requirements for spices. Participants will gain a high-level understanding of business-to-business (B2B) labeling essentials, as well as into finished product labeling considerations for retail, including permissible claims, advertising considerations, and mandatory disclosures.

Thursday, August 14 @ 10:00am ET

Certified Organic: Ensuring Organic Spice Compliance in the U.S. Market

As the demand for organic spices grows, so does the complexity of ensuring compliance with U.S. organic standards. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the key regulations governing organic certification for spice products. Learn more about the 2024 Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule, the role of equivalence agreements between the U.S. and other countries, and how pesticide testing and enforcement impact organic certification.

Tuesday, August 19 @ 10:00am ET

Food Safety Treatment Methods and Process Validation for Spices

Spices companies in the U.S. must have validated process controls in place to address the risk of identified pathogen hazards in spices, such as Salmonella. This session provides an overview of the primary treatment methods used to reduce the hazard of microbial contamination in spices, including steam sterilization, irradiation, and ethylene oxide (ETO). Additionally, learn more about validation requirements for treatment processes, including what regulators expect.

Thursday, August 21 @ 10:00am ET

Understanding Ingredient & Packaging Safety in the U.S. Spice Supply Chain

This session offers an introduction to the regulatory framework surrounding the use of ingredients and packaging materials in the U.S. Speakers Tony Pavel and Devon Hill will explore the basics of the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) process, food additive regulations, and the requirements for food-contact packaging. Gain insights into the evolving regulatory landscape, including increased scrutiny of certain additives and packaging components.