Overview
12:00pm – 3:30pm ET (each day)
Are you finding it hard to make sense of the regulations that govern our food manufacturing sector? Want to get more engaged with policymakers?
This July, IDFA’s Regulatory RoundUP virtual conference will provide you with two half days of sessions devoted to understanding the intent behind and implications for federal food regulations. This is a once-per-year, can’t-miss event for dairy professionals involved in compliance, standards and labeling, nutrition and food science, legal counsel, sustainability efforts, marketing, and federal policymaking.
Regulatory RoundUP 2022 will feature top government officials from FDA and USDA, as well as leading experts on the regulations that impact your dairy business. Browse the session topics on the “Program” tab, and register today to secure your spot at Regulatory RoundUP.
Agri-Food Regulatory Trends: Perspectives from NASDA
Awareness of policy trends at the local, state, federal and international levels are critical for the dairy industry. Such trends, if not responded to effectively, can lead to negative outcomes for the sector, as well as consumers. This opening session will help set the stage by providing an overview of these trends and which ones the dairy industry needs to pay attention to, presented by an accomplished leader in the agri-food sector and former Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Dept. Of Agriculture during the Trump-Pence administration.
Speaker: Ted McKinney, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
FDA Update on Heavy Metals and PFAS
In this session, FDA speakers will provide updates on the FDA’s current approach and thinking on two types of contaminants in the food supply, including dairy. Dr. Choiniere will share the agency’s initiative, “Closer to Zero”, a science-based and iterative approach for reducing early childhood exposure to toxic heavy metal compounds from foods commonly consumed babies and young children. Dr. South will review the FDA’s analytical testing results for PFAS in foods and provide insights on the agency’s plans for the future.
Speakers: Conrad Choiniere, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Analytics and Outreach, FDA
Paul South, Ph.D., Acting Director of the Senior Science Advisor Staff, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA
Food Fights in the Courtroom – Annual Litigation Update
In 2022, food labeling decisions continue to be driven by litigation and not FDA regulations. The last two years have seen increases in the number of cases filed. There are a number of new court decisions granting or denying motions to dismiss that help shed light on what consumers might reasonably expect. Hot topic issues include high-value ingredient representations (e.g., chocolate, fudge, caramel), flavor labeling, nutrient content claims, and labeling of plant-based foods. In this session, Veronica Colas will share her expertise advising food companies on the current state of food labeling litigation, lessons your company can learn from these lawsuits, and how we might forecast the future of this area of litigation.
Speaker: Veronica Colas, Counsel, Hogan Lovells
Has the Time Come to Reform FDA for Foods?
The FDA has been under the microscope of late for perceived lack of accountability and coordination. This panel will highlight and debate possible organizational, structural, procedural, and cultural changes that must occur for the FDA to perform its responsibilities and duties successfully and effectively. In addition to examples of outbreaks, recalls, and lack of progress on key initiatives, the panelists will focus on the ‘big picture reform’ needed by the food part of FDA, including whether the food portions of FDA should be formed into a separate agency.
Speakers: Helena Bottemiller Evich, Food and Agriculture Policy Reporter
Brian Ronholm, Director of Food Policy, Consumer Report
Going “Green” without “Greenwashing”
As dairy companies race to net zero and reduce their environmental footprint, communicating sustainability achievements to consumers requires close coordination between a company’s marketing and legal team to avoid accusations of “greenwashing.” This session will examine how to effectively make and substantiate a sustainability claim on company advertising, websites and packaging to minimize the risk of greenwashing.
Speaker: Emily Lyons, Partner, Husch Blackwell LLP
Nutrition Security: How Can Dairy Contribute?
This session will provide an overview of one of USDA’s core priorities to promote and elevate nutrition security, which they have operationalized as meaning having consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food. USDA Actions will be highlighted, along with opportunities to engage with USDA on this work.
Speaker: Sara Bleich, Ph.D., Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Temporary Marketing Permits: Their Role in Amending Dairy Standards of Identity
This panel discussion will review FDA’s process filing a TMP, including the revision made Nov 2021 to the industry guidance. The panel will also discuss the opportunities for utilizing the TMP process to permit innovative changes to standardized dairy products, as well as challenges in satisfying the FDA requirements for a TMP.
Speakers: Dan Reese, Branch Chief, FDA
Marjan Marrovej, Consumer Safety Officer, FDA
Ann Boeckman, Chief Counsel, Food Law at Kraft Heinz
Codex Alimentarius Standards: Updates from the U.S. Codex Office
Ensuring consumer health and facilitating trade are the two goals of the United Nation’s Codex Alimentarius Commission in setting international food standards for government adoption and use. In this session, you’ll hear important updates on various workstream across Codex that could have implications for government food policies around the world as well as trade of dairy products—from labeling of trans-fatty acids, to preventing food fraud, to debates about the role of science in Codex standard-setting.
Speaker: Kristen J. Hendricks, International Issues Analyst, U.S. Codex Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Speakers
Sara Bleich, Ph.D.
Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity, USDA
Sara Bleich, Ph.D.
Dr. Sara Bleich is the Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity in the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), after serving as the Senior Advisor for COVID-19 in the Office of the Secretary at USDA (2021). She is a policy expert and researcher who specializes in diet-related diseases, food insecurity and racial inequality with more than 175 peer-reviewed publications. She is on leave from her post as a Professor of Public Health Policy at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Kennedy School of Government, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Dr. Bleich was also a White House Fellow during the Obama administration, where she worked at USDA as a Senior Policy Adviser for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services and with the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative. She holds degrees from Columbia (BA, Psychology) and Harvard (PhD, Health Policy).
Ann Boeckman
Chief Counsel, Food Law, Kraft Heinz
Ann Boeckman
Ann Boeckman is Chief Counsel, Food Law for Kraft Heinz. She is based in Chicago, Illinois, where she advises the Company on legal requirements for foods, including requirements for food safety and food labeling. Prior to joining Kraft Heinz, Ann was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Hogan & Hartson, LLP (now Hogan Lovells).
Ann received her law degree from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, and a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics from Oklahoma State University. She is a registered dietitian (R.D.) and enjoyed a clinical nutrition practice before embarking on a legal career.
Helena Bottemiller Evich
Food and Agriculture Policy Reporter
Helena Bottemiller Evich
Helena Bottemiller Evich is an acclaimed journalist covering food policy in Washington. She is soon launching a newsletter. Most recently, she led coverage of food and agriculture issues at POLITICO where she received numerous awards for her work, including a George Polk Award for a series on climate change and two James Beard Awards for features on nutrition and science. In 2022, she was a James Beard Award finalist for a deep dive on diet-related diseases and Covid-19.
Before launching POLITICO’s agriculture team in 2013, she was a reporter at Food Safety News where she covered deadly foodborne illness outbreaks and the run-up to Congress passing the most significant update to food safety law in a century. Helena is a sought-after speaker and commentator on food issues, appearing on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, BBC and NPR, among others. Her work is widely cited in the media and has also been published in the Columbia Journalism Review and on NBC News.
Born and raised in Washington state, Helena attended Claremont McKenna College, where she studied government. She now lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, son and tabby cat.
Conrad Choiniere, PhD
Director of the Office of Analytics and Outreach, U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
Conrad Choiniere, PhD
Conrad Choiniere, PhD, is the Director of the Office of Analytics and Outreach at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). Dr. Choiniere provides executive leadership for a broad portfolio of scientific and regulatory functions including risk and decision analysis, social and behavioral sciences, epidemiology, biostatistics and informatics, education and outreach, and food defense. Dr. Choiniere currently co-leads a core element of FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety focused on fostering and supporting Food Safety Culture across the food system. He also chairs the FDA’s Toxic Elements Working Group which prioritizes the agency’s efforts to reduce exposures to lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals from foods to the greatest extent feasible. Dr. Choiniere has a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
Veronica Colas
Counsel, Hogan Lovells
Veronica Colas
Veronica Colas counsels clients on the regulations and policy issues affecting food companies from farm to table.
Using her keen awareness of today's class action litigation environment, Veronica helps develop new products, label claims, and advertising materials. She has a deep understanding of both current and forthcoming food labeling and production requirements ranging from nutrition and menu labeling, to the regulatory issues surrounding bioengineered foods and organic food production.
Veronica provides clear advice and practical solutions for compliance with labeling, advertising, and safety regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Consumer Product Safety Commission. She has significant experience in helping clients navigate regulatory enforcement challenges, such as recalls, Warning Letters, import detentions, and investigations by the Federal Trade Commission. Veronica works closely with trade associations and food companies to craft comments and develop strategies in response to public policy issues such as agency rulemaking and nutrition policy. She represents all segments of the food industry, including manufacturers, retailers, restaurants, and food service companies.
She is a regular speaker and contributor to industry publications, including providing training sessions to corporate clients on Food Law 101, food labeling and marketing, and claim substantiation.
Kristen Hendricks
International Issues Analyst | U.S. Codex Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Kristen Hendricks
Kristen Hendricks currently works in the U.S. Codex Office at the USDA on food safety standards and international trade issues. Prior to her current position, Ms. Hendricks held other positions in USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) related to food safety, nutrition policy, public health, and international agricultural trade issues. Prior to her tenure in USDA, she worked on international environmental, food safety, international trade, and chemical management issues at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Office of Pesticide Programs, Keller and Heckman LLC (a law firm), and Booz Allen Hamilton (a consulting firm). Ms. Hendricks has a Bachelors of Science from the Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Emily Lyons
Partner, Husch Blackwell LLP
Emily Lyons
Emily R. Lyons is a Partner at Husch Blackwell LLP and works out of the Washington DC office. Lyons grew up on a northern Illinois dairy farm, and now helps clients bridge the gap from farm to fork. Lyons guides clients on complex regulatory issues as they bring dairy products, beverages, fruits and vegetables, processed foods, alcohol beverages, and other agricultural goods to market. At the intersection of agriculture, food and environment, Lyons handles compliance matters such as labeling, marketing and advertising, food safety and defense, permitting and agency inquiries. Before private practice, Lyons served as counsel and director of regulatory affairs at the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). Her unique ability to speak the language throughout the supply chain brings clients value as she navigates complex scientific information, melds it with antiquated regulatory constructs and makes it understandable, all while remaining innovative and cutting edge. To learn more, visit her bio on the Husch Blackwell LLP website or follow her on Twitter @thedairylawyer.
Marjan Marrovej
Consumer Safety Officer | FDA
Marjan Marrovej
Marjan has a B.Sc. in Food Science Technology from Iran and an M.Sc. degree in Global Health from George Mason; Marjan joined ONFL in December 2016. Her past relevant jobs include working as a Food Safety Specialist in USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) as a subject matter expert on “Special Nutrition Operation Program Study (SNOPS)” and “School Lunch Program” (NSLP). Nutritionist in Fairfax County Health Dep. in “Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program”, and Food Safety Specialist in Alberta Agriculture-Canada which in that capacity she conducted inspections and gap assessment on food manufacturer and retails on all aspects of food security and safety. Her main areas of emphasis include FOI Request, Chocolate, Confectionery products, and Temporary Marketing Permits (TMPs).
Ted McKinney
CEO, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
Ted McKinney
Ted serves as the Chief Executive Officer of NASDA, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, a position to which he was named in September 2021. Prior to NASDA, he was also the first U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs from 2017-2021. In that role, Under Secretary McKinney led the development and implementation of the Department’s trade policy, oversaw and facilitated foreign market access, and promoted opportunities for U.S. agriculture through various trade programs and high-level government negotiations. He also oversaw the U.S. Codex Alimentarius staff and functions.
After his USDA service, McKinney was engaged in foreign affairs and outreach involving the US food and agriculture industry and its engagement with the United Nations Food Systems Summits.
In 2014, McKinney was appointed by then-Governor Mike Pence to serve as Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, a position he held until joining USDA in 2017. His career also included 19 years with Dow AgroSciences, where over time he served in nearly all Government & Public Affairs roles, and 14 years with Elanco, at that time a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, where he was Director of Global Corporate Affairs. His industry and civic involvement is vast, including service as founder and Co-Chair of the National FFA Convention Local Organizing Committee, membership on the Indiana State Fair Commission, and Purdue College of Agriculture Dean’s Advisory Council, as well as on the boards of directors of the International Food Information Council and the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
McKinney grew up on a family grain and livestock farm in Tipton, Indiana, and was a 10-year 4-H member and an Indiana State FFA Officer. He graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics in 1981, at which time he received the G.A. Ross Award as the outstanding University senior male graduate. In 2002, he was named a Purdue Agriculture Distinguished Alumnus and, in 2004, received an FFA Honorary American degree. He has also received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Indiana Governors Pence and Holcomb. He and his wife, Julie, have three children and six grandchildren, and reside in Alexandria, Virginia.
Daniel Reese
Team Leader, Product Evaluation and Labeling, FDA
Daniel Reese
Brian Ronholm
Director of Food Policy, Consumer Reports
Brian Ronholm
Brian Ronholm is the Director of Food Policy for Consumer Reports. He leads CR's advocacy efforts to advance a safe and healthy food system. Brian brings deep legislative and regulatory experience in food policy to CR. He also writes and speaks extensively on food policy issues, with a particular emphasis on emerging technologies, food safety modernization, and pending regulatory policies facing the food industry.
During his tenure as Deputy Under Secretary, Food Safety, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Brian provided leadership, management, and oversight of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the public health agency with more than 9,000 employees responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, catfish, and processed egg products.
In addition to overseeing FSIS, he chaired the U.S. Codex Policy Steering Committee, an interagency partnership that engages stakeholders in the advancement of science-based international food safety standards to facilitate fair trade, and served as Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF), which provides impartial scientific advice to federal agencies for use in developing integrated food safety systems.
He also served as Agriculture Appropriations Associate in the office of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, where he managed and coordinated activities involving key legislative initiatives for food and nutrition issues.
Prior to joining CR, Brian most recently served as Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati, and he served in the same senior position at Arent Fox LLP.
He serves as a part-time lecturer at Northeastern University in the College of Professional Studies, and he also sits on the board for the SBLA, a non-profit charitable organization for professionals working in sports whose goal is to provide children with the resources necessary to engage in unique sports experiences.
Paul South, PhD
Director, Division of Plant Products and Beverages, Office of Food Safety, CFSAN
Paul South, PhD
Paul South is Director for the Division of Plant Products and Beverages at FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in the Office of Food Safety. He is responsible for developing policy, regulations, regulatory guidance, and compliance strategies on issues related to the safety of plant products and beverages. Dr. South received a Ph.D. in food science from Cornell University
Agenda
| July 19, 2022 | Event | Speaker | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00pm - 12:45pm |
Agri-Food Regulatory Trends: Perspectives from NASDA
Awareness of policy trends at the local, state, federal and international levels are critical for the dairy industry. Such trends, if not responded to effectively, can lead to negative outcomes for the sector, as well as consumers. This opening session will help set the stage by providing an overview of these trends and which ones the dairy industry needs to pay attention to, presented by an accomplished leader in the agri-food sector and former Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Dept. Of Agriculture during the Trump-Pence administration.
</br>Moderator: <b>John Allan</b>, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and International Standards </br>
Speaker: <b>Ted McKinney</b>, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)
|
||
| 12:45pm - 1:30pm |
FDA Update on Heavy Metals and PFAS
In this session, FDA speakers will provide updates on the FDA’s current approach and thinking on two types of contaminants in the food supply, including dairy. Dr. Choiniere will share the agency’s initiative, “Closer to Zero”, a science-based and iterative approach for reducing early childhood exposure to toxic heavy metal compounds from foods commonly consumed babies and young children. Dr. South will review the FDA’s analytical testing results for PFAS in foods and provide insights on the agency’s plans for the future.
</br>Moderator: <b>Joe Scimeca, Ph.D.</b>, Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs, International Dairy Foods Association </br>
Speakers: <b> Conrad Choiniere, Ph.D.</b>, Director of the Office of Analytics and Outreach, FDA </br>
<b> Paul South, Ph.D.</b>, Acting Director of the Senior Science Advisor Staff, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA </br>
|
, | |
| 1:30pm - 2:00pm | Break | ||
| 2:00pm - 2:45pm |
Food Fights in the Courtroom – Annual Litigation Update
In 2022, food labeling decisions continue to be driven by litigation and not FDA regulations. The last two years have seen increases in the number of cases filed. There are a number of new court decisions granting or denying motions to dismiss that help shed light on what consumers might reasonably expect. Hot topic issues include high-value ingredient representations (e.g., chocolate, fudge, caramel), flavor labeling, nutrient content claims, and labeling of plant-based foods. In this session, Veronica Colas will share her expertise advising food companies on the current state of food labeling litigation, lessons your company can learn from these lawsuits, and how we might forecast the future of this area of litigation.
</br>Moderator: <b> Danielle Quist</b>, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Counsel, International Dairy Foods Association </br>
Speaker: <b> Veronica Colas</b>, Counsel, Hogan Lovells
|
||
| 2:45pm - 3:30pm |
Has the Time Come to Reform FDA for Foods?
The FDA has been under the microscope of late for perceived lack of accountability and coordination. This panel will highlight and debate possible organizational, structural, procedural, and cultural changes that must occur for the FDA to perform its responsibilities and duties successfully and effectively. In addition to examples of outbreaks, recalls, and lack of progress on key initiatives, the panelists will focus on the ‘big picture reform’ needed by the food part of FDA, including whether the food portions of FDA should be formed into a separate agency.
</br>Moderator: <b>Matt Herrick</b>, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications, International Dairy Foods Association </br>
Speakers: <b> Helena Bottemiller Evich</b>, Food and Agriculture Policy Reporter</br>
<b> Brian Ronholm</b>, Director of Food Policy, Consumer Reports </br>
|
, | |
| July 20, 2022 | Event | Speaker | Location |
| 12:00pm - 12:45pm |
Going “Green” without “Greenwashing”
As dairy companies race to net zero and reduce their environmental footprint, communicating sustainability achievements to consumers requires close coordination between a company’s marketing and legal team to avoid accusations of “greenwashing.” This session will examine how to effectively make and substantiate a sustainability claim on company advertising, websites, and packaging to minimize the risk of greenwashing. </br>Moderator: <b> Danielle Quist</b>, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Counsel, International Dairy Foods Association </br>
Speaker: <b> Emily Lyons</b>, Partner, Husch Blackwell
|
||
| 12:45pm - 1:30pm |
Nutrition Security: How Can Dairy Contribute?
This session will provide an overview of one of USDA’s core priorities to promote and elevate nutrition security, which they have operationalized as meaning having consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food. USDA Actions will be highlighted, along with opportunities to engage with USDA on this work. </br>
Speaker: <b> Sara Bleich, Ph.D.</b>, Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture </br>
|
||
| 1:30pm - 2:00pm | Break | ||
| 2:00pm - 2:45pm |
Temporary Marketing Permits: Their Role in Amending Dairy Standards of Identity?
This panel discussion will review FDA’s process filing a TMP, including the revision made Nov 2021 to the industry guidance. The panel will also discuss the opportunities for utilizing the TMP process to permit innovative changes to standardized dairy products, as well as challenges in satisfying the FDA requirements for a TMP.
</br>Moderator: <b>John Allan</b>, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and International Standards </br>
Speakers: <b> Dan Reese</b>, Branch Chief, FDA </br> <b> Marjan Marrovej</b>, Consumer Safety Officer, FDA </br> <b> Ann Boeckman</b>, Chief Counsel, Food Law at Kraft Heinz </br>
|
, , | |
| 2:45pm - 3:30pm |
Codex Alimentarius Standards: Updates from the U.S. Codex Office
Ensuring consumer health and facilitating trade are the two goals of the United Nation’s Codex Alimentarius Commission in setting international food standards for government adoption and use. In this session, you’ll hear important updates on various workstream across Codex that could have implications for government food policies around the world as well as trade of dairy products—from labeling of trans-fatty acids, to preventing food fraud, to debates about the role of science in Codex standard-setting.
</br>Moderator: <b>John Allan</b>, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and International Standards </br>
Speakers: <b> Kristen J. Hendricks</b>, International Issues Analyst, U.S. Codex Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) </br>
|
Agri-Food Regulatory Trends: Perspectives from NASDA
Ted McKinney
Ted serves as the Chief Executive Officer of NASDA, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, a position to which he was named in September 2021. Prior to NASDA, he was also the first U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs from 2017-2021. In that role, Under Secretary McKinney led the development and implementation of the Department’s trade policy, oversaw and facilitated foreign market access, and promoted opportunities for U.S. agriculture through various trade programs and high-level government negotiations. He also oversaw the U.S. Codex Alimentarius staff and functions.
After his USDA service, McKinney was engaged in foreign affairs and outreach involving the US food and agriculture industry and its engagement with the United Nations Food Systems Summits.
In 2014, McKinney was appointed by then-Governor Mike Pence to serve as Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, a position he held until joining USDA in 2017. His career also included 19 years with Dow AgroSciences, where over time he served in nearly all Government & Public Affairs roles, and 14 years with Elanco, at that time a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, where he was Director of Global Corporate Affairs. His industry and civic involvement is vast, including service as founder and Co-Chair of the National FFA Convention Local Organizing Committee, membership on the Indiana State Fair Commission, and Purdue College of Agriculture Dean’s Advisory Council, as well as on the boards of directors of the International Food Information Council and the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
McKinney grew up on a family grain and livestock farm in Tipton, Indiana, and was a 10-year 4-H member and an Indiana State FFA Officer. He graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics in 1981, at which time he received the G.A. Ross Award as the outstanding University senior male graduate. In 2002, he was named a Purdue Agriculture Distinguished Alumnus and, in 2004, received an FFA Honorary American degree. He has also received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Indiana Governors Pence and Holcomb. He and his wife, Julie, have three children and six grandchildren, and reside in Alexandria, Virginia.
FDA Update on Heavy Metals and PFAS
Conrad Choiniere, PhD
Conrad Choiniere, PhD, is the Director of the Office of Analytics and Outreach at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). Dr. Choiniere provides executive leadership for a broad portfolio of scientific and regulatory functions including risk and decision analysis, social and behavioral sciences, epidemiology, biostatistics and informatics, education and outreach, and food defense. Dr. Choiniere currently co-leads a core element of FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety focused on fostering and supporting Food Safety Culture across the food system. He also chairs the FDA’s Toxic Elements Working Group which prioritizes the agency’s efforts to reduce exposures to lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals from foods to the greatest extent feasible. Dr. Choiniere has a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
Paul South, PhD
Paul South is Director for the Division of Plant Products and Beverages at FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in the Office of Food Safety. He is responsible for developing policy, regulations, regulatory guidance, and compliance strategies on issues related to the safety of plant products and beverages. Dr. South received a Ph.D. in food science from Cornell University
Food Fights in the Courtroom – Annual Litigation Update
Veronica Colas
Veronica Colas counsels clients on the regulations and policy issues affecting food companies from farm to table.
Using her keen awareness of today's class action litigation environment, Veronica helps develop new products, label claims, and advertising materials. She has a deep understanding of both current and forthcoming food labeling and production requirements ranging from nutrition and menu labeling, to the regulatory issues surrounding bioengineered foods and organic food production.
Veronica provides clear advice and practical solutions for compliance with labeling, advertising, and safety regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Consumer Product Safety Commission. She has significant experience in helping clients navigate regulatory enforcement challenges, such as recalls, Warning Letters, import detentions, and investigations by the Federal Trade Commission. Veronica works closely with trade associations and food companies to craft comments and develop strategies in response to public policy issues such as agency rulemaking and nutrition policy. She represents all segments of the food industry, including manufacturers, retailers, restaurants, and food service companies.
She is a regular speaker and contributor to industry publications, including providing training sessions to corporate clients on Food Law 101, food labeling and marketing, and claim substantiation.
Has the Time Come to Reform FDA for Foods?
Helena Bottemiller Evich
Helena Bottemiller Evich is an acclaimed journalist covering food policy in Washington. She is soon launching a newsletter. Most recently, she led coverage of food and agriculture issues at POLITICO where she received numerous awards for her work, including a George Polk Award for a series on climate change and two James Beard Awards for features on nutrition and science. In 2022, she was a James Beard Award finalist for a deep dive on diet-related diseases and Covid-19.
Before launching POLITICO’s agriculture team in 2013, she was a reporter at Food Safety News where she covered deadly foodborne illness outbreaks and the run-up to Congress passing the most significant update to food safety law in a century. Helena is a sought-after speaker and commentator on food issues, appearing on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, BBC and NPR, among others. Her work is widely cited in the media and has also been published in the Columbia Journalism Review and on NBC News.
Born and raised in Washington state, Helena attended Claremont McKenna College, where she studied government. She now lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, son and tabby cat.
Brian Ronholm
Brian Ronholm is the Director of Food Policy for Consumer Reports. He leads CR's advocacy efforts to advance a safe and healthy food system. Brian brings deep legislative and regulatory experience in food policy to CR. He also writes and speaks extensively on food policy issues, with a particular emphasis on emerging technologies, food safety modernization, and pending regulatory policies facing the food industry.
During his tenure as Deputy Under Secretary, Food Safety, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Brian provided leadership, management, and oversight of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the public health agency with more than 9,000 employees responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, catfish, and processed egg products.
In addition to overseeing FSIS, he chaired the U.S. Codex Policy Steering Committee, an interagency partnership that engages stakeholders in the advancement of science-based international food safety standards to facilitate fair trade, and served as Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF), which provides impartial scientific advice to federal agencies for use in developing integrated food safety systems.
He also served as Agriculture Appropriations Associate in the office of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, where he managed and coordinated activities involving key legislative initiatives for food and nutrition issues.
Prior to joining CR, Brian most recently served as Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati, and he served in the same senior position at Arent Fox LLP.
He serves as a part-time lecturer at Northeastern University in the College of Professional Studies, and he also sits on the board for the SBLA, a non-profit charitable organization for professionals working in sports whose goal is to provide children with the resources necessary to engage in unique sports experiences.
Going “Green” without “Greenwashing”
Emily Lyons
Emily R. Lyons is a Partner at Husch Blackwell LLP and works out of the Washington DC office. Lyons grew up on a northern Illinois dairy farm, and now helps clients bridge the gap from farm to fork. Lyons guides clients on complex regulatory issues as they bring dairy products, beverages, fruits and vegetables, processed foods, alcohol beverages, and other agricultural goods to market. At the intersection of agriculture, food and environment, Lyons handles compliance matters such as labeling, marketing and advertising, food safety and defense, permitting and agency inquiries. Before private practice, Lyons served as counsel and director of regulatory affairs at the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). Her unique ability to speak the language throughout the supply chain brings clients value as she navigates complex scientific information, melds it with antiquated regulatory constructs and makes it understandable, all while remaining innovative and cutting edge. To learn more, visit her bio on the Husch Blackwell LLP website or follow her on Twitter @thedairylawyer.
Nutrition Security: How Can Dairy Contribute?
Sara Bleich, Ph.D.
Dr. Sara Bleich is the Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity in the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), after serving as the Senior Advisor for COVID-19 in the Office of the Secretary at USDA (2021). She is a policy expert and researcher who specializes in diet-related diseases, food insecurity and racial inequality with more than 175 peer-reviewed publications. She is on leave from her post as a Professor of Public Health Policy at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Kennedy School of Government, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Dr. Bleich was also a White House Fellow during the Obama administration, where she worked at USDA as a Senior Policy Adviser for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services and with the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative. She holds degrees from Columbia (BA, Psychology) and Harvard (PhD, Health Policy).
Temporary Marketing Permits: Their Role in Amending Dairy Standards of Identity?
Ann Boeckman
Ann Boeckman is Chief Counsel, Food Law for Kraft Heinz. She is based in Chicago, Illinois, where she advises the Company on legal requirements for foods, including requirements for food safety and food labeling. Prior to joining Kraft Heinz, Ann was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Hogan & Hartson, LLP (now Hogan Lovells).
Ann received her law degree from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, and a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics from Oklahoma State University. She is a registered dietitian (R.D.) and enjoyed a clinical nutrition practice before embarking on a legal career.
Daniel Reese
Marjan Marrovej
Marjan has a B.Sc. in Food Science Technology from Iran and an M.Sc. degree in Global Health from George Mason; Marjan joined ONFL in December 2016. Her past relevant jobs include working as a Food Safety Specialist in USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) as a subject matter expert on “Special Nutrition Operation Program Study (SNOPS)” and “School Lunch Program” (NSLP). Nutritionist in Fairfax County Health Dep. in “Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program”, and Food Safety Specialist in Alberta Agriculture-Canada which in that capacity she conducted inspections and gap assessment on food manufacturer and retails on all aspects of food security and safety. Her main areas of emphasis include FOI Request, Chocolate, Confectionery products, and Temporary Marketing Permits (TMPs).
Codex Alimentarius Standards: Updates from the U.S. Codex Office
Kristen Hendricks
Kristen Hendricks currently works in the U.S. Codex Office at the USDA on food safety standards and international trade issues. Prior to her current position, Ms. Hendricks held other positions in USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) related to food safety, nutrition policy, public health, and international agricultural trade issues. Prior to her tenure in USDA, she worked on international environmental, food safety, international trade, and chemical management issues at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Office of Pesticide Programs, Keller and Heckman LLC (a law firm), and Booz Allen Hamilton (a consulting firm). Ms. Hendricks has a Bachelors of Science from the Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
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IDFA’s Regulatory RoundUP provides the opportunity for dairy professionals to hear firsthand from the decision-makers and the officials who have direct responsibility for the rules that affect dairy plants, products and personnel. The conference will help dairy professionals better understand the intent behind federal regulations, the parameters for compliance and how best to engage in the process to shape pending regulations. Each level of sponsorship offers opportunities to build awareness of your brand, promote your products and services and engage with colleagues, industry insiders and potential partners.
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