At the 2026 Annual Meeting Pre-Conference Symposium, Elevating Spices in Today’s Health-Focused Food Regulatory Landscape explored how spices can play a pivotal role in the evolution of U.S. food policy, including in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities. From health policy to regulatory trends, consumer research, and practical applications of using spices for color and as alternatives to salt and sugar, attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of how the spice sector can naturally add flavor and color to whole, healthy foods.

This presentation: Health Benefit Claims for Spices: What you Can (and Can't) Say According to FDA offers a practical overview of the legal framework governing nutrition and health claims in the United States. The presentation covered the three primary types of claims: nutrient content claims, structure/function claims, and health claims, including authorized and qualified claims. The presentation focused on substantiation standards and FDA rules limiting statements that imply disease prevention, treatment, or cure.