Program Information
The Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport will be the venue for this year’s events to be held on Wednesday, October 2 and Thursday, October 3, 2019. Here is where you can find the most updated information on the program, speakers, registration, hotel, sponsors, and other important information about ASTA’s fall event.
 Ambassador Sponsor |
 Ambassador Sponsor |
 Spirit Sponsor |
 Spirit Sponsor |
 Spirit Sponsor |
 Spirit Sponsor |
 Spirit Sponsor |
 Spirit Sponsor |
On the evening of October 2, 2019 ASTA will host a Global Spice Partners Networking Reception from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm. Join ASTA for this networking reception featuring representatives from the global spice industry, policymakers, and trade partners. Invited guests include Ambassadors from spice producing countries, FDA representatives, and other policymakers that ASTA works with in Washington, D.C.
Schedule of Events:
| Wednesday, October 2, 2019 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm – Registration 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Global Spice Partners Networking Reception |
Thursday, October 3, 2019 8:00 am – 8:30 am – Registration 8:30 am – 8:45 am – Welcome 8:45 am – 11:45 am – Educational Sessions 11:45 am – 1:15 pm – Lunch with Keynote Speaker (lunch is included with your registration fee) 1:15 pm – 4:00 pm – Educational Sessions |
| In-person committee meetings scheduled |
Staff will be available to take on-site registrations Wednesday evening and all attendees can pick-up badges. Badges must be worn at all times during both programs. For questions, please contact the ASTA office at 202-331-2460.
To view exact times for each session, visit the Program at a glance
| Session | Description | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome | Opening of the Workshop with remarks | David Solomon ASTA President, BDS Natural Products |
| Overview | Update of ASTA Government Relations activities since the Annual Meeting | Chris Stevenson, McCormick & Co., Inc., ASTA Government Relations Committee Chair |
| Defining RTE Foods in the Absence of FDA Guidance | FDA is planning on releasing guidance on Ready-To-Eat foods in the near future. Jenny Scott from FDA presented on this topic during the 2018 Regulatory Workshop and ASTA published FAQs. This session will provide insights on what is expected to publish in the FDA guidance document and how other industries are working to address Ready-To-Eat foods in the absence of published guidance. | Donna Garren, AFFI |
| FDA Keynote | FDA provides an annual update to ASTA about the agency’s upcoming priorities. | Mark Moorman, Director of the Office of Food Safety, FDA |
| Food for Progress: Opportunities for the Spice Sector |
The USDA Food for Progress program helps developing countries and emerging democracies strengthen their agricultural sectors. Food for Progress is actively seeking opportunities for investment in the spice industry. An update on current spice projects will be provided, including how the program will help participants comply with food safety standards and FSMA requirements. | Waleed Rabieh, USDA FAS |
| Ingredient Disclosure Transparency – Balancing Requirements and Customer Expectations | In the new “era of transparency,” consumers are seeking more information about food than ever before. As retail brands and retailers adapt to these expectations, customers are requesting new information from spice suppliers. This panel discussion will explore what information customers are seeking and why, and how suppliers can fulfill these requests while protecting intellectual property and confidential business information. | Lisa Patel, Kalsec
Danielle Dalheim, Sr. Manager Frito-Lay Regulatory Affairs
|
| FDA Initiative to Reduce Exposure from Toxic Elements in Foods | FDA has formed a Toxic Elements Working Group focused on reducing exposures from metals, such as lead, in food products to the extent feasible. This Working Group takes a proactive, systematic approach to identify, target and prioritize efforts in this area that consist of regulatory actions, scientific research and communications and outreach to industry, consumers and other stakeholders. | Conrad Choiniere, Office of Analytics and Outreach, FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition |
| Navigating FDA Import Alerts | This session will feature a discussion of how companies, countries, and products get placed on import alert and the process to get off of import alert, along with enforcement trends and tips for spice importers.
|
John Johnson, Benjamin L. England & Associates |
| Pesticide Regulation Challenges for Imported Commodities | This session will address U.S. pesticide regulatory requirements, enforcement of pesticide violations, and the roadmap for obtaining new import tolerances. Additionally, learn about CropLife’s initiatives to alleviate burdens on imported food ingredients. | Manojit Basu, CropLifeAmerica |
| Poppy Seed Legislation | An update from the Senator’s office on legislation designed to prohibit the sale of poppy seeds containing unsafe opioid levels to consumers. | Brian Colas, Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) |
| Validation of Spice Processes for Salmonella Control Update | As the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule under FSMA requires validation of process preventive controls, spice companies are required to validate pathogen reduction processes used to control Salmonella. ASTA recently published research on the use of E. Faecium as a surrogate for Salmonella in validation studies for spices, along with recommendations for a framework to group spices for use in validations. This exciting panel discussion will explore FDA enforcement of this requirement, ASTA’s progress with surrogate and groupings research, and a case study on dehydrated garlic.
• Surrogate and Groupings Research – Jim Dickson, Iowa State • Regulatory Updates – Maile Hermida, Hogan Lovells • Dehydrated Garlic – Scott Klinger, BC Foods |
Jim Dickson, Iowa State
|
| ASTA Update (members only) | This session will provide an update on current trade, policy, and regulatory developments impacting the spice sector and learn about recent ASTA initiatives and advocacy efforts. | Laura Shumow, ASTA Executive Director |
| Closing | Closing remarks and meeting wrap up | Chris Stevenson, McCormick & Co., Inc., ASTA Government Relations Committee Chair |
