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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.