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Allergen Labeling Update

Dr. Steven Gendel, Gendel Food Safety LLC
Tracks: Nutrition, FDA, USDA, Marketing, LegalDiscover the latest updates to Allergen labeling, including all the recent FDA activities this year. Explore the different requirements of the USDA and FDA, and talk through implementation complexities and the dilemmas around when to use precautionary allergen statements.

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Bioengineered Labeling (NBFDS) Update

Alexandria Fischer, Food Disclosure and Labeling Division, USDA AMS
Tracks: FDA, USDA 
With mandatory bioengineered disclosure now in place, industry has begun to standardize best practices for labeling. This session will cover any updates and nuances to the specifics of the new rule, the options for disclosing BE status and plans for USDA enforcement.

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California Compliance & Labeling Strategies

Jennifer Gross & Kyla Kaplan, OFW Law
Tracks: FDA, USDA
This session will discuss several recently announced and key regulatory updates in the state of California. While not an all-encompassing list, this presentation will discuss, additive bans, date labeling provisions, state Executive Orders, trends in Proposition 65 litigation of particular interest to the food industry, and baby food testing disclosure requirements. This session will provide timely, valuable insights and practical advice for staying compliant and achieving business goals in the evolving landscape of CA food law.

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Canadian Labeling

Michelle Anstey, NSF
Tracks: Nutrition, Marketing
Understand new Canadian nutrition and ingredient labeling regulations and learn how they differ from labeling in the US, including the Front-of-Package symbol, Nutrition Facts Table and ingredient list formats, 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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Cannabis in Food: Regulatory Update

Jonathan Havens, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
Tracks: FDA, Marketing, Legal 
Hemp-derived products seem to be more popular than ever.  Find out why cannabinoid-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 hemp-derived products, when and how the federal landscape in this area might change (including an update on the Farm Bill and its potential implications for the space), and the rules of the road about adding cannabinoids to food products.

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Championing Compliance in a Rapidly Evolving Regulatory Landscape

Sheila Dy Juanco, Upside Foods
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing
Uncover strategies for championing compliance through authentic relationships with business leaders in your company, with a strong focus on regulatory, and quality compliance. Learn how to navigate governance complexities and drive a strong, strategic compliance culture for lasting organizational success.

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Child Nutrition (School Lunch) Labeling Overview

Patricia Phillips, Phillips Resources
Tracks: Nutrition, Marketing 
Join a leading expert in Child Nutrition labeling for an overview of program crediting and the application process. Explore how CN labeling works and discuss current trends and what's on the horizon. 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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Date Coding

Tracks: FDA, USDA
What does that EXP 1/31/2025 really mean on that can of soup?  Find out the latest developments in food code dating with the recent USDA and California date labeling announcements.

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Flavor Labeling Trends

Lisa Cummins, McCormick Flavor Solutions | McCormick FONA
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing
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 Labeling

Debbie Nece, Cargill Protein
Tracks: FDA, USDA
Products manufactured for Food Service - hotels, restaurants, and institutions - are not always subject to the same requirements as retail packaged labeling. Labeling for other not-for-retail items can also be a challenge due to limited regulatory information. With a scarcity of agency guidance, this session will review some regulatory requirements, but focus on industry expectations and best practices for HRI,  not-for-retail, and other retail distribution channels.

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FTC Advertising & Claims Workshop

Elizabeth Sanger, FTC
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing, Legal
Stay ahead of the curve with this informative workshop presented by the FTC, offering the latest updates on regulatory changes impacting businesses and consumers. Gain valuable insights into compliance requirements and enforcement trends to ensure your organization is prepared for the evolving regulatory landscape.

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Healthy Claim

Caitlin Diederich, Prime Label Consultants
Tracks: Nutrition, FDA, Marketing
The FDA’s updated “healthy” definition, released in late 2024, aligns with current dietary recommendations. Uncertainties remain around implementing Food Group Equivalents, and the postponed effective date delayed the rollout of this long-awaited rule. Join this session for updates, early insights and a chance to discuss key challenges with peers.

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Ingredients in the Hot Seat: A Dialogue with CSPI

Sarah Sorscher, Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
Tracks: FDA, Legal
Come discuss ingredients and labeling with the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a leading consumer advocacy non-profit who petitioned FDA to revoke authorization for FD&C Red No. 3 and is working to eliminate other controversial chemicals from the food system. CSPI will present on the concerns of consumers, the scientific community & the administration, and engage in discussion with participants of practical responses to some of these issues.

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International Compliance in the Age of Tariffs

Katelyn M. Hilferty, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing, Legal
US trade policy under the new administration is well underway, with headlines about US tariffs, global retaliatory tariffs, and US retaliatory tariffs crossing the news on a near daily basis. Many companies who historically have not had to manage tariff risks—because they operate in nations with which the US has a trade agreement, do not take on direct US import risks, or operate in a primarily domestic market—are finding duties and tariffs among the top of their internal risk factors. In this session led by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius International Trade partner Katelyn (Katie) Hilferty, we will discuss recent tariff developments, compliance strategies, and practical tips for mitigating tariff impact.

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Litigation Risks: Demand Letters and Evolving Class Action Trends

Rend Al-Mondhiry, Amin Wasserman Gurnani
Tracks: FDA, Marketing, Legal
Plaintiff litigation and demand letters are becoming one of the primary risks to consider in developing product marketing strategies. Learn how to navigate the shark tank with this discussion of the current litigation landscape, how to best protect your company, and what to do if your product becomes a target.

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Mandatory COOL Labeling

John Herlihy, Food Disclosure and Labeling Division, USDA-AMS
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing
Country of Origin Labeling is managed by the Food Disclosure and Labeling Division of AMS USDA, and required for retail labeling of a range of raw agricultural commodities. Learn how to determine if your products are covered and the labeling requirements, along with common FAQs to help fully implement your labeling strategy.

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Market Trends in a Changing Food Landscape

Dr. Kantha Shelke, Corvus Blue LLC
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing
‍Explore how evolving consumer expectations around health, sustainability, and transparency are reshaping packaged food labeling and regulations. This session offers timely insights into the drivers behind these shifts and equips attendees to navigate the regulatory landscape with confidence and clarity.

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Mexican Labeling

Phil Daniel, TechLink International
Tracks: Nutrition, Marketing
A critical session if you are exporting food to Mexico. TechLink will share thier overview of the current NOM-051 food labeling standards, with a focus on the upcoming phase 3 requirements. Review general requirements, including front of package requirements, stop signs, nutritional panel calculations and more.

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Natural Labeling Complexities

Evangelia Pelonis, Keller and Heckman LLP
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing, Legal 
The natural products market continues to grow in the US and around the globe. This session is critical to understand the ins and outs of Natural claims on labeling. Explore the differences between FDA and USDA definitions of “Natural”, and when the claim may present litigation risks. Discuss the impact on retail, restaurants and customer perception, and explore the pros and cons of this contentious claim, both on the package and in related advertising and marketing.

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NFP Calculations: Serving Sizes, DVs & Rounding Nuances

Fred Mosher & Michelle Liang, Prime Label Consultants
Tracks: Nutrition, FDA, USDA
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 and how to apply them to determine serving size and daily values. Understand the nuances of FDA rounding rules. Includes a brief introduction to Prime Label’s EZ FormⓇ food labeling software.

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Nutrient Content Claims

Marissa Hagedorn, Prime Label Consultants
Tracks: Nutrition, Marketing
Learn about FDA and USDA requirements for expressed and implied claims including common call-outs such as Low Calorie, Low Fat, No Added Sugar and High Protein. Explore relative claims and front of pack nutrient claims and the subtleties of their different requirements.

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Organic Labeling Update and Q&A

Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing
Learn about the latest changes to organic standards and how to promote the organic label through consumer education, messaging, and marketing. The National Organic Program will discuss recent rules as well as the “retailer toolkit”, which includes graphics, signs, and talking points that retailers can use in stores and online.

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PFAS, Heavy Metals & Other Environmental Contaminants

Brian P. Sylvester, Morrison & Foerster
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Legal
Contaminants may emanate from any direction. This presentation will focus on prevention, detection strategies, and best practices to avoid heavy metal contaminants from coming through unknowingly in imported ingredients. We will also explore how packaging components and public water systems can add another complication to the mix, highlighting the breadth of PFAS contamination and its impact on litigation in the years ahead. It is difficult to test for every conceivable contaminant. Those attending this session will come away with additional strategies for reducing liability and risks to the food supply.

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Q&A on FDA Compliance

Celia Yau & Lacey Durrance, Prime Label Consultants
Tracks: Nutrition, FDA
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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Q&A on USDA Compliance

Emily Hendricks, Prime Label Consultants
Tracks: Nutrition, USDA
Explore the ins and outs of USDA labeling by bringing your specific questions on the subtleties of labeling to our PLC experts. Includes a discussion of commonly asked USDA regulatory questions.

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Social Impact Claims: From Aspiration to Substantiation

Amaru J. Sánchez, Alston & Bird
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing, Legal
Consumers are more socially conscious than ever, and brands are eager to showcase their commitments to sustainability, fair trade, and ethical sourcing. But making bold social impact claims isn’t just about good intentions—it’s about backing them up. This session will explore how companies can effectively use third-party certifications on product labels, align their marketing with regulatory expectations, and ensure they have the necessary substantiation to support their claims. From the latest enforcement trends to practical compliance strategies, we’ll dive into the do’s and don’ts of social impact marketing—so you can inspire confidence, not controversy.

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Sustainability & Environmental Marketing Claims

Kathleen Bond, Keller and Heckman
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing, Legal
This session will provide an overview of the current legal landscape for green marketing by focusing on five of the most significant developments affecting food companies right now – from class actions, to state enforcement, National Advertising Division cases, and the roll-out of the FTC’s revised Green Guides.

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Third Party Certifications - Best Practices

Chandni Sen Sinha, Albertsons Companies
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing
With consumers increasingly seeking assurance in their purchases, third-party certification is becoming a prominent market trend. Discover how these independent certifications and claims programs operate, what consumers expect, the types of claims that can be certified, and what typical certification criteria entail.

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Ultra-Processed Foods: Soundbites vs Science

Dr. Kantha Shelke, Corvus Blue LLC
Tracks: FDA, USDA, Marketing
‍Ultra-processed foods face growing consumer scrutiny, often driven by fear-based narratives and misinformation. This session will separate perception from scientific reality, debunk common myths, and explore the industry’s role in informed decision-making. It will also examine the implications for food labeling and potential litigation, equipping attendees with a science-based perspective to navigate this evolving landscape.

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Undefined Claims Workshop: Navigating FDA Gray Areas

Caitlin Diederich, Prime Label Consultants
Tracks: FDA, Marketing
This workshop offers a framework for assessing undefined claims. Discuss how to consider regulatory definitions, pending actions, industry standards and enforcement risks to make informed decisions. Explore definitions in the form of brand standards vs. third-party certification. Simulate consumer responses to common claims to practice identifying truthful vs. misleading messaging. Walk away with an appreciation - the bigger the claim, the bigger the burden of proof!

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USDA Animal Production, Raising & Grading Claims

Emily Hendricks, Prime Label Consultants
Tracks: USDA, Marketing
Discuss the complexity of Animal Production, Raising & Breed 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 Generic Approval

Celia Yau & Kirby Ham, Prime Label Consultants
Tracks: USDA
Find out the current regulations, policies, and best practices for generic approval. Explore generic eligibility, including changes that can be made to previously approved labels. Understand generic approval compliance, recordkeeping requirements, and discuss strategies to reduce risk of enforcement.

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USDA Q&A with LPDS

Team members of the Labeling and Program Delivery Staff, FSIS-USDA
Tracks: USDA
Explore the ins and outs of USDA labeling by bringing your specific questions on the subtleties of labeling toUSDA's Labeling and Program Delivery Staff (LPDS).