In this introductory session, speakers Abhishek Gurnani & Ivan Wasserman provide a foundational overview of key U.S. laws and regulatory authorities relevant to the U.S. spice industry.

In this session, Maile Gradison and Mary Grywatch 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 Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), food defense, sanitary food transportation, and traceability rules and 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. It also includes discussion on the role of FDA’s facility inspections and corresponding enforcement tools, such as 483s and Warning Letters, as well as recall, providing 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 and practical insights to help spice importers navigate both federal and state requirements related to contaminants.

This session unpacks the U.S. regulatory framework for pesticide residues on spices, current enforcement trends, key differences between U.S. and international standards, and 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).

This session provides an overview of 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.

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.

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. The session 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.