January 2026: Black Pepper

This panel session focused on FDA’s recent guidance and industry engagement on allergens, including the agency’s current thinking on labeling, enforcement, and thresholds, as well as provided insight on how global regulatory bodies are approaching allergen management. Attendees learned more about how the growing regulatory focus on allergens may have an impact on operations and also walked through how allergen risk assessments may be conducted for spices.

Ucar Sayil Gundem with Altuntas Group provided an update on Mediterranean parsley, rosemary, basil, bay leaves, and oregano as part of the 2026 Winter Crop Reports. The presentation provided an overview of crops, supply, demand, market price and inventory, quality, an outlook, and summary/conclusions.