What Consumers Think About Spices and Health?
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: What Consumers Think About Spices and Health? examines evolving consumer perceptions of spices as natural sources of color and flavor, alongside growing scrutiny around heavy metals and contaminants. It also highlights the powerful role spices can play in enhancing the appeal of wholesome, nutritious foods—offering both opportunity and responsibility for the industry in today’s regulatory environment.
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Related Resources
Introduction to Spices for New Industry Professionals Spices 101 Part III – A Global Industry – Key Issues in the Spice Industry
The web series Spices 101 – Introduction to Spices for New Industry Professionals covers the history of spices, provides an overview of the spice market, describes what spices are and where they come from and discusses critical issues in the spice industry. Part III addresses key Issues in the spice industry. This presentation was given by long-time industry expert Roger Lawrence, who was formerly with McCormick and Company.
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