Agenda*

Add-On Training
Sunday April 24
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Main Conference Day 1*
Monday April 25
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Main Conference Day 2*
Tuesday April 26
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Add-On Training
Wednesday April 27
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Continuing Conference
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* sessions subject to change
** optional; additional fees apply

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** Tentative list of breakouts (speakers TBD) - typically we have over 30 of these small group, interactive sessions.

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Added Sugar Rules & Strategies

Tracks: Nutrition, Expert 
The definition of Added Sugar has been vastly debated since the publication of FDA’s final rule for nutrition labeling. Since then, the agency has continued to release additional guidance to facilitate implementation of the rules. This session will use examples and case studies to explain the FDA’s definition of Added Sugars, propose best practices for troubleshooting data collection, and highlight strategies for optimizing nutrition facts panel sugar declarations.

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Allergen & Gluten Free Labeling

Tracks: Nutrition, FDA 
Most everyone is familiar with the Big 8 food allergens and labeling requirements, but there are some new food allergies emerging and there are concerns about use of advisory statements on foods. Learn about these and the differences between US and other countries’ requirements for allergen labeling and learn what things to be cognizant of when developing accurate allergen labeling on foods.

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Best Practices: Manufacturer - Ingredient Supplier Collaboration

Tracks: FDA, USDA, Expert 
Growth in rapid development and marketing of new product claims has added strain to the ingredient sourcing and regulatory workflow. Building effective and efficient communication paths is necessary to managing this critical coordination. This session will focus on the best practices for relationship management between manufacturer and ingredient supplier and highlight data-driven dependencies and record keeping strategies.

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Best Practices: Marketing - Regulatory Collaboration

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, Expert 
Turn conflict into creative compliance and position products in the best light. This session is intended to explore best practices for marketing and regulatory teams to fulfill a shared goal –  to ensure that products are in compliance while keeping them competitive in the marketplace.

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Best Practices: Private Label - Supplier Collaboration

Tracks: FDA, USDA, Expert 
With rapid growth in Private Label, Brand Owners as well as Manufacturers face a unique challenge to collaboratively revise all labels in a short time frame. Explore best practices for coordination and conflict resolution across the supply chain.

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Bioengineered Food Disclosure

Tracks: FDA, USDA, Expert 
An important follow-up to the USDA General Session overview of the new Bioengineered Food Disclosure requirements, this session will provide a legal perspective on the new regulation. An attorney will focus on the impact of this rule on industry, as well as risk considerations and implementation concerns.

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Cannabis & CBD in Food - the Law, the Science and the Hype

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, USDA, Expert 
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the newest food craze. Find out why CBD-infused products could hold both promise and peril, what we know about the science behind the hype, and what remains to be seen. Learn about the confusing legal and regulatory framework surrounding CBD, and the rules of the road about adding it to food products.

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Child Nutrition (School Lunch) Labeling Overview

Tracks: Nutrition, FDA, USDA, Expert 
Discover the ins and outs of Child Nutrition labeling from the administrators themselves. Explore how CN labeling works and its advantages. Learn about the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) quality control program and the CN label application process. Find out where to obtain information and discuss some frequently asked questions.

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Clean & Cultured Meat: Trends and Regulatory Implications

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, USDA, Expert 
Clean meat is meat that is grown in laboratories from animal cells and is born out of a desire to find environmentally friendly alternatives to animal husbandry. It is still in development, but start-ups working on it say it could be coming within the year. This session will explore the consumer drivers, technologies and regulatory impact of cell-based agriculture.

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Clean Labeling

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, USDA, Expert 
There is no regulatory definition for clean labeling. But the truth is, consumer demand for easy-to-understand ingredient statements and trustworthy labels isn't going anywhere. When it comes to meeting what consumers want, it is a lot easier said than done. This session will cover the technical realities associated with the concept of a “clean” label from an R&D and Regulatory perspective.

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Dietary Fiber Rules & Strategies for the New NFP

Tracks: FDA, Nutrition, Expert 
Dietary Fiber is one of the most complex aspects of labeling products with the new nutrition facts panel. While most commonly used fibers now meet the definition, manufacturers must still consider the impact on their product formulas, compliance timelines and marketing claims and how to deal with non-digestible carbohydrates that have not been approved. This session will address the intricacies of the revised Dietary Fiber Definition and how to translate this into labeling.

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EZ Form Compliance Software

Tracks: Nutrition, FDA, USDA, Expert 
Discover how this powerful regulatory software can streamline your labeling process by providing required forms, labels and Nutrition Facts Panels, updated for the new rule. Learn how EZ Form's smart checks and record keeping can save you time and increase your compliance. Get access to EZ Form's programmer to answer your advanced questions, and learn tips and tricks for optimizing this powerful label compliance tool.

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FDA Product Labeling Q & A

Tracks: Nutrition, FDA, Expert 
Find out the answers to those nagging questions about your FDA labels. From product naming to claims and allergens, bring your specific questions to be answered by a PLC Consultant.

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Flavor Labeling

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, Expert 
Flavor labeling tops the charts as one of the most common complicated aspects of product labeling. This session will cover flavor descriptors and the laws governing labeling and specific situations including food allergens, flavoring agents, ingredient classifications, flavor categories, organic, kosher and halal.

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Food Service & Sample Product Labeling

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, USDA, Expert 
What are the differences between Food Service and retail? If your company sends samples to customers or trade shows - what are the USDA labeling requirements and FDA best practices? Dive into the different rules for exterior and interior product labeling, best practices for claims and the labeling of experimental products.

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FTC: Advertising & Claims

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, USDA, Expert 
Learn about the FTC rules on advertising and how they apply to your food package artwork and claims. Find out what the FTC's enforcement priorities are and learn the subtleties of online marketing and social media.

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Graphics Optimization for Food Labels

Tracks: Marketing
With available real-estate on the food label at a premium due to proliferation of new claims and regulatory requirements, fitting all of the features onto a package is a huge challenge. This session will cover best-practices for feature placement and fit, and how to troubleshoot graphics when issues arise. Bring your graphic design questions to the Q&A in this session.

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International: Canadian Labeling Revisions

Tracks: Nutrition, Marketing, Expert 
Understand new Canadian nutrition and ingredient labeling regulations and learn how they differ from labeling in the US, including the new Nutrition Facts Table format, ingredient list changes, and allergen declarations. Discuss the subtleties of formulating products for Canada and some of the special issues that apply. Understand what resources are available to you to ensure your Canadian labels are compliant.

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International: European Union Labeling

Tracks: Nutrition, Marketing, Expert 
Understand European Union nutrition and ingredient labeling regulations and learn how they differ from labeling in the US, including Nutrition Facts, ingredient lists, and allergen declarations. Discuss the subtleties of formulating products for the EU and some of the special issues that apply. Understand what resources are available to you to ensure your EU labels are compliant.

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International: Mexico and Latin America Labeling

Tracks: Nutrition, Marketing, Expert 
Understand nutrition and ingredient labeling regulations in Mexico and Latin America and learn how they differ from labeling in the US, including the Nutrition Facts, ingredient lists, and allergen declarations. Discuss the subtleties of formulating products for these markets and some of the special issues that apply. Understand what resources are available to you to ensure your labels for Mexico and Latin America are compliant.

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Marketplace Trends in FDA & USDA Product Claims

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, USDA, Expert 
Learn about the latest innovations in FDA and USDA product labeling trends. Discuss the consumer drivers behind these trends and how the food industry is responding. Delve into the subtleties of the newest food claims and explore alternatives to satisfy market demand.

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Meal Kits & Emerging Distribution Channels

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, USDA, Expert 
Meal kits, direct-to-consumer, and online marketplaces are increasingly popular. Without a clear definition or agency jurisdiction, industry has been left to fill in the gaps while regulators have been playing catch-up.This breakout will discuss recent regulatory guidance on meal kit labeling requirements, the retail store exemption and the interaction of USDA, FDA, state and local regulations on these products.

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 Natural Labeling Complexities

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, USDA, Expert 
Understand the ins and outs of Natural labeling. Explore the differences between FDA and USDA definitions of “Natural”. Discuss the impact on retail, restaurants and customer perception, and explore the pros and cons of this contentious claim.

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Nutrition Facts Panel Optimization

Tracks: Nutrition, Marketing, FDA, USDA, Expert 
Nutrition Label Reform has upended two decades of NFP/packaged product optimization and revealed new labeling challenges with serving size changes and the new mandatory dual column requirement. Food companies are back at the drawing board to synchronize their nutrition labeling with their target markets. This case study driven session will illustrate how nutrition takes center stage when implementing the new rules and opportunities to mitigate negative impact.

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Nutrient Claims & the New Nutrition Facts

Tracks: Nutrition, Marketing 
Understand the FDA and USDA requirements for this well-defined set of claims and how the new NFP rule will impact them. Dive into expressed versus implied claims, such as Lean, Low Fat, Sodium, and Omega claims, amongst others. Explore relative claims and Front of Package nutrient claims and the subtleties of their different requirements.

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Nutrient Data and the New NFP: Lab vs. Calculation

Tracks: Nutrition, Expert
Explore the integrity of the Nutrition Panel by understanding the differences between calculated and analytical methods of producing nutrient data. Discuss the various sources of nutrient data, different classes of ingredients, and issues of nutrient variability. Understand how the new NFP rule will impact lab analysis and your record-keeping systems.

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Online Labeling, Marketing and the Digital Shelf

Tracks: Marketing, FDA, USDA, Expert 
Engaging customers or selling products online through new distribution channels requires careful consideration. What makes a food label compliant on the web, social media, or on mobile - and who is enforcing the regulations? Learn requirements and best practices for e-commerce and managing compliance for digital product assets.

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Organic Claims

Tracks: Marketing, FDA , USDA, Expert 
Explore the intricacies of Organic, Certified, and Verified claims, including the certification process, documentation, types of claims and the subtleties of this labeling.

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Private Label Supplier Meetings

Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing, Expert 
Come meet the regulatory and packaging teams of Private Label brands and learn critical information about doing business with them. Topics covered may include (but are not limited to) NLR rollout expectations, labeling best practices, regulatory preferences and IT tips and tricks for submitting products. Stay tuned for Private Label brand schedules.

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Product Naming for FDA & USDA Foods

Tracks: FDA , USDA, Marketing
Explore USDA and FDA regulations on product naming and standards of identity. Find out the difference between common and usual, descriptive, standard, and fanciful names and what conventions are required for each. Learn about the components of identity statements, including many types of qualifiers.

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Proposition 65

Tracks: Expert 
For products sold in the state of California, compliance with the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, or Proposition 65, is essential to mitigate litigation risk. Come and learn the important challenges to the published list of substances, recent changes to the clear and reasonable warnings requirements, and how your food or packaging may be impacted.

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Recalls, Warning Letters & Enforcement Actions

Tracks: FDA, Expert 
FDA has multiple initiatives for monitoring manufacturer compliance and communicating violations of FDA regulations. Learn more about key tools available for compliance including blockchain technology, trends in enforcement, best practices for preparing for and responding to recalls and the impact of recalls on brand integrity.

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Third Party Certifications & Claims

Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing
With more and more consumers demanding independent validation, third party certification (including gluten free, non-GMO, process verification, and ingredient quality claims) is a growing trend. The session will provide an overview of how third party certification programs work, how to find a provider, and manage the process. Learn which claims can be certified and what common certification criteria looks like. Discuss best practices for a certification audit.

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USDA Animal Production, Raising & Grading Claims

Tracks: USDA, Marketing 
Discuss the complexity of Animal Production and Breed Raising claims such as Cage-Free Poultry, Free-Range, No Added Hormones or Antibiotics, Humanely Raised, Certified Angus and others. Find out the latest in USDA grading claims.

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USDA Export Labeling

Tracks: USDA, Expert 
Discover the latest in USDA export requirements, including the intricacies of labeling, customs documentation, online resources & systems, and the new PHIS export module.

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USDA Generic Labeling Update

Tracks: USDA 
Find out the latest enforcement priorities, requirements and best practices for the expanded generic rule. Explore generic eligibility and compliance, and discuss enforcement subtleties with FSIS.  Understand what you need to do to keep thorough records and discuss strategies to reduce risk.

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USDA Product Labeling Q & A

Tracks: Nutrition, USDA, Expert
Explore the ins and outs of USDA labeling - such as product names and qualifiers; undefined RACC and nutrient claims; negative, uncured, organic and natural claims. Bring your specific questions on the subtleties of labeling to our industry and PLC experts.

Invited Speakers & Moderators*

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