A closer look at the looming deadlines for compliance with major pieces of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and upcoming sampling assignments planned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be featured during two days of conversations with dairy regulators at IDFA’s Regulatory RoundUP, June 13-14, in Washington, D.C.

John Sheehan, the head of the FDA’s dairy safety division, will deliver a presentation outlining the agency’s priority areas, discussing information on upcoming sampling assignments and FDA’s changing policy and guidance on Listeria.

“IDFA’s Regulatory RoundUP conference is designed specifically to address the most pressing regulatory issues facing our member companies and provide information and guidance on preparing for regulatory changes,” said Emily Lyons, IDFA director of regulatory affairs and counsel. “It gives industry professionals the ability to speak directly with those who create and enforce dairy regulations.”

This year’s Regulatory RoundUP will feature presenters from top levels at the FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other organizations specializing in regulations and enforcement issues in the food industry.

Session topics include:

Food Safety

  • Upcoming FSMA deadlines;
  • What inspectors will be looking for;
  • Results of past sampling assignments;
  • Notices of upcoming assignments; and
  • Changes in policies for dairy-related Listeria monocytogenes and more.

Nutrition

  • Implementation of the new government MyPlate recommendations and Dietary Guidelines; and
  • How dairy companies can become National Strategic Partners to help disseminate the new dietary guidelines.

Business and Trade

  • Barriers to exporting to European Union;
  • Current status of negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-Tip); and
  • How to export to China and other emerging markets.

Participation is recommended for all industry professionals who guide company policy and procedure decisions, those who specialize in regulatory issues and those responsible for implementing and overseeing regulated areas of a dairy food business.

Discounted Access to Advocacy Days

IDFA members registered for Regulatory RoundUP are encouraged to stay and participate in IDFA’s Advocacy Days, June 14-15 in Washington, D.C., which provide opportunities to speak directly to legislators on Capitol Hill about dairy industry issues and concerns. Members registered for both meetings will receive a special discount on the Advocacy Days registration fee.

The Regulatory RoundUP agenda, registration and accommodation information are now available online.

For more registration information contact Maria Velasco, IDFA coordinator and registrar, at mvelasco@idfa.org.