Overview
Tuesday, July 27 & Wednesday, July 28
12:00pm – 3:15pm ET (each day)
Virtual Conference
Join IDFA experts and regulatory decision-makers for two days devoted to understanding the intent behind federal regulations, the parameters for compliance and how best to engage in the process to shape pending regulations.
As one of the most highly regulated food industries in the United States, dairy must comply with regulations issued by multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Commerce, among other state and local regulatory bodies. IDFA’s Regulatory RoundUP connects dairy professionals with regulatory officials who have direct responsibility for the rules affecting dairy plants, products, and personnel.
Each session will focus on an issue of critical importance to dairy and offer opportunities for attendees to ask questions and engage with the presenters.
- California Prop 65 “101”: What the Dairy Industry Needs to Know
- Front of Pack Labeling: At Our Doorstep?
- New Era of Smarter Food Safety
- Understanding the Evolution of Environmental Justice and Regulatory Policy
- Sodium Recommendations: How Low Could They Go?
- The “Forever” Evolving Regulation of PFAS: A State and EPA Update
- Food Fights in the Courtroom – Litigation Update
- International Food Policies: Codex and the UN Food Systems Summit
Sponsors:
Agenda
| July 27, 2021 | Event | Speaker | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00pm - 12:45pm |
New Era for Smarter Food Safety
The US FDA continues to make plans for implementing their New Era of Food Safety Blueprint. Hear from the agency what steps they are taking, how information will be shared, and efforts to engage with stakeholders. The New Era Blueprint outlines the work the agency is planning to undertake over the next decade to modernize our food safety approaches and build on the framework established by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). It includes work to enhance traceability, improve predictive analytics, respond more rapidly to outbreaks, address new business models, reduce contamination of food, and foster the development of stronger food safety cultures.
<br>
<i>Speaker</i>: <b>Nathan Anderson, Ph.D.</b>, Agricultural Engineer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
|
||
| 12:45pm - 1:30pm |
Food Fights in the Courtroom – Litigation Update
In 2021, litigation often drives food labeling decisions, not FDA regulations. In the last decade, lawsuits over food labeling focused mainly on the use of claims such as “natural” and “healthy.” More recently, plaintiffs have scrutinized and courts have considered a multitude of other labeling claims, as well as the labeling of plant-based foods and flavor labeling. In this session, Elizabeth Fawell 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>
<i>Speaker</i>: <b>Elizabeth Fawell</b>, Partner, Hogan Lovells
|
||
| 1:30pm - 1:45pm | Break | ||
| 1:45pm - 2:30pm |
California Prop 65 “101”: What the Dairy Industry Needs to Know
As federal and state agencies evaluate how to regulate chemicals in food, California’s Prop 65 warning and disclosure law continues to pose legal risks to the dairy and larger food and beverage industry. In this session, hear the basics of Prop 65, how it’s enforced, and best practices for reducing your company’s litigation exposure. In addition, practical guidance will be provided on the implications on the testing of your products for Prop 65 listed chemicals as well as your suppliers’ ingredients and satisfying your customers’ requests for warranties of compliance.
<br>
<i>Speaker</i>: <b>Emily Lyons</b>, Senior Associate, Husch Blackwell LLP
|
||
| 2:30pm - 3:15pm |
International Food Policies: Codex and the UN Food Systems Summit
With international bodies such as the Codex Alimentarius and the UN Food Systems Summit charting the course for global food systems, industry engagement is ever more critical. Hear about work on Codex standards that will impact the trade of dairy products and gain insights into how the UN Food Systems Summit is aiming to dramatically change the way food is produced and consumed around the world.
<br>
<i>Speakers</i>: <b>Mary Frances Lowe</b>, U.S. Manager, Codex Alimentarius, U.S. Department of Agriculture <br>
<b>Donald Moore</b>, Executive Director, Global Dairy Platform
|
, | |
| July 28, 2021 | Event | Speaker | Location |
| 12:00pm - 12:45pm |
Front of Pack Labeling: At Our Doorstep?
Front of Pack (FOP) nutrition labeling continues to take root in many Latin American countries, but it is increasingly finding a home in other countries as well, including those in North America. The presentation will focus on FOP labeling activities in Canada and Mexico, and also reveal what the FDA may be considering for US labels. Hear also about how FOP labeling requirements may be the gateway to other types of restrictions for the marketing and sales of food products.
<br>
<i>Speaker</i>: <b>Beth Johnson</b>, Founder & Principal, Food Directions LLC
|
||
| 12:45pm - 1:30pm |
Sodium Recommendations: How Low Could They Go?
School meals must meet sodium limits and those levels could be required to go even lower. How did these target levels evolve and what do they mean for food safety, functionality and student preference? <br>
<i>Speakers</i>: <b>Cheryl Isberner</b>, Team Leader, K-12, Land O'Lakes Inc. <br>
<b>Christa Spaeth</b>, Culinary Center Food and Nutrition Manager, Land O'Lakes Inc.
|
, | |
| 1:30pm - 1:45pm | Break | ||
| 1:45pm - 2:30pm |
Understanding the Evolution of Environmental Justice and Regulatory Policy
Consideration of environmental justice impacts has been part of the regulatory and permitting process for decades. However, social, cultural and legal changes over the last few years have elevated environmental justice to the highest priority of government policy and enforcement. In this session, Byron Brown and Simone Jones will provide an overview of environmental justice, including its history, and discuss the ways that environmental justice features prominently in policy and regulation in the Biden administration. The attorneys also will provide practical ways to limit environmental justice-related risks at the processing plant, farm, and supply-chain levels.
<i>Speakers</i>: <b>Byron Brown</b>, Senior Counsel, Crowell & Moring LLP <br>
<b>Simone Jones</b>, Associate, Sidley Austin LLP
|
, | |
| 2:30pm - 3:15pm |
The “Forever” Evolving Regulation of PFAS: A State and EPA Update
Several years after PFAS began making headlines, legislators and regulators in several states and Washington DC are still seeking to understand the potential scope of contamination and standard to protect human health and the environment. This panel will provide both legal and technical updates to actions by EPA and states relating to the establishment of drinking and surface water standards, effluent limits, and air discharge permitting requirements. Additionally, the panel will discuss USPEA’s progress toward the potential designation of PFAS as hazardous substances under CERCLA or a hazardous waste under RCRA and how these actions compare to those of the states. The goal of this session is to help IDFA members understand their risks and avoid costly mistakes and liability.
<br>
<i>Speakers</i>: <b>Matt Schroeder</b>, Senior Environmental Engineer, Dragun Corporation <br>
<b>Leah Ziemba</b>, Partner, Michael Best
|
, |
New Era for Smarter Food Safety
Speaker: Nathan Anderson, Ph.D., Agricultural Engineer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Nathan Anderson, Ph.D.
Food Fights in the Courtroom – Litigation Update
Speaker: Elizabeth Fawell, Partner, Hogan Lovells
Elizabeth B. Fawell
Successfully navigating the detailed and often complex regulatory issues confronting the food industry, Elizabeth Fawell helps companies understand both the rules and various risks involved to make the most informed and strategic decisions.
Elizabeth has worked with every segment of the food industry, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, restaurants, and food service operators, as well as their trade associations.
Her work on behalf of food industry clients with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) since its inception and her understanding of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems provides her with the experience and perspective needed to counsel clients on how to comply with new requirements under the law. Elizabeth is also a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) and has completed the FSPCA PCQI training.
Elizabeth understands how laws, regulations, and guidance documents are developed, interpreted, and enforced. Her extensive knowledge enables clients to prevent or respond to enforcement actions such as Warning Letters, Import Alerts, and agency investigations. She helps clients in determining whether an RFR report is necessary and whether a recall is warranted. If so, she helps manage the recall to minimize business impacts.
Elizabeth provides real-time advice during factory inspections, helps clients prepare 483 responses, and drafts inspection manuals. She assists clients in lawfully and creatively promoting their products; such as the development of labels, claims, and website and promotional campaigns. Elizabeth also supports clients in advertising disputes and with responses to FTC and Attorney General investigations.
Elizabeth helps clients stay informed of and ahead of public policy issues and develops strategies for effective advocacy before regulators. She also counsels clients on compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards, testing and certification requirements, and reporting obligations.
Elizabeth is also a member of the Food and Dietary Supplements Committee of the Food and Drug Law Institute.
California Prop 65 “101”: What the Dairy Industry Needs to Know
Speaker: Emily Lyons, Senior Associate, Husch Blackwell LLP
Emily Lyons
Emily R. Lyons is a senior associate 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.
International Food Policies: Codex and the UN Food Systems Summit
Speakers: Mary Frances Lowe, U.S. Manager, Codex Alimentarius, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Donald Moore, Executive Director, Global Dairy Platform
Mary Frances Lowe
Donald Moore
Donald Moore is the executive director of the Global Dairy Platform, which works to promote the nutrient richness of dairy products, bring balance and research to the role of milkfat in the diet and provide clarity on how dairy is managing its relationship with the environment. From the dairy industry to the information technology and business consulting arenas, Moore has held a variety of general management, strategic and marketing roles.
Prior to this, he served as director ingredients marketing for Fonterra Cooperative Group. He has also held various senior executive roles with Fonterra, including director of business development for the global ingredients business and regional managing director for Oceania. Moore was also a member of the Fonterra sustainability leadership council and the food and regulatory assurance council.
Born in Northern Ireland, Moore moved to New Zealand in the 1970s where he finished his schooling before joining the IT industry. Before entering the dairy industry, Moore spent nine years as chief executive of New Zealand’s largest independent business and information management consulting firm where he oversaw its international expansion opening offices across South East Asia.
Front of Pack Labeling: At Our Doorstep?
Speaker: Beth Johnson, Founder & Principal, Food Directions LLC
Beth Johnson
Beth Johnson, brings over 25 years of food policy experience serving inside and outside the government, including the Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Agriculture, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and the National Restaurant Association, where she built strong relationships with a broad group of stakeholders and a unique and in-depth understanding of how industry can impact policy decisions. Over the years, Johnson has been involved in policy negotiations and development at the local, state, federal and international level. She also helped lead USDA’s work on CODEX and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Beth holds relationships with administration officials, agency career staff, key congressional offices as well as public health and consumer advocates that help pave the way for fruitful discussions for our clients. Johnson lives near Annapolis with her husband and two daughters.
Sodium Recommendations: How Low Could They Go?
Speakers: Cheryl Isberner, Team Leader, K-12, Land O'Lakes Inc.
Christa Spaeth, Culinary Center Food and Nutrition Manager, Land O'Lakes Inc.
Cheryl Isberner
Christa Spaeth
Understanding the Evolution of Environmental Justice and Regulatory Policy
Simone Jones, Associate, Sidley Austin LLP
Byron Brown
Byron R. Brown is a senior counsel in the Washington D.C. office. He is in the firm’s Government Affairs and Environment & Natural Resources groups. Byron has almost two decades of experience working at the intersection of law and policy and has experience negotiating legislation, drafting regulations, managing congressional investigations, preparing regulatory comments, and developing and executing government affairs strategies before Congress and the executive branch. Earlier in his career, Byron worked for more than a decade as an attorney in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of General Counsel, including several years as associate deputy general counsel during both the Bush and Obama administrations. After leaving EPA, Byron served as senior counsel and director of oversight and investigations for the Committee on Natural Resources for the U.S. House of Representatives and then as senior counsel for the Committee on Environment and Public Works in the U.S. Senate. He also has experience as a legislative fellow in the personal office of a U.S. Senator. Prior to joining the firm in August 2018, Byron served as deputy chief of staff for policy at the EPA, where he coordinated the agency’s work on infrastructure and led several rulemaking initiatives.
Simone Jones
Simone Jones is an environmental associate in the Washington, D.C. office. Her specialties include complex environmental litigation and internal investigations, particularly in the automotive, chemical, and refining sectors. Her recent cases include defending original equipment manufacturers and senior executives in matters involving auxiliary emission control devices, fuel economy and onboard diagnostics before federal courts, EPA, CARB, DOJ, the FBI, the SEC and other agencies. Simone also advises and defends companies in emerging contaminant matters involving PFAS and other substances. As one of the leaders of Sidley’s Environmental Justice group, Simone advises and defends leading companies on EJ and other social justice issues.
Simone also has extensive experience in complex class action defense, white collar criminal defense and internal and government investigations, as well as general commercial litigation. She has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in various jurisdictions and in all stages of litigation, including initiating complaints, developing litigation strategy, briefing dispositive motions, taking and defending depositions, working with expert witnesses, managing discovery and assisting with appeals.
In addition, Simone has experience successfully defending corporations in high-stakes consumer class action suits alleging consumer fraud, violations of the civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and other federal statutes, as well as violations of state laws. She also has initiated a breach of contract action, achieving a significant victory on behalf of clients after drafting a successful, dispositive motion and arguing the matter before the court. Simone also has experience responding to government subpoenas and defending and investigating claims of bribery, in addition to purported violations of criminal RICO and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Simone maintains an active pro bono practice and was awarded the Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and received the Thomas H. Morsch Award for Pro Bono Achievement. In addition, she recently secured class certification for a United States military veteran.
Simone earned her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she served as the editor of the Seventh Circuit Review Honors Journal. Simone earned her Master of Public Health from Tulane University and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Arkansas.
Simone was recognized by Super Lawyers as an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2014–2018.
The “Forever” Evolving Regulation of PFAS: A State and EPA Update
Speakers: Matt Schroeder, Senior Environmental Engineer, Dragun Corporation
Leah Ziemba, Partner, Michael Best
Matt Schroeder
Matt is the Senior Environmental Engineer at The Dragun Corporation. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is a registered professional engineer in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Georgia, and Arizona.
He has over 25 years of experience in environmental remediation and compliance for industrial, municipal, commercial, and agricultural clients. He has managed projects in over 30 states and/or provinces in North America ranging up to $10 million.
Matt has provided advice on PFAS issues related to groundwater, soil, wastewater, and waste. Amongst his PFAS experiences, he is currently managing a former military site that has multiple groundwater PFAS plumes. Matt regularly participates in industry work groups and speaks at conferences on PFAS issues.
Leah Ziemba
Leah Ziemba is a partner at the law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP in its Madison, Wisconsin office and co-chairs the firm’s Agribusiness, Food and Beverage Industry Team. Michael Best is a leading law firm, with more than 250 attorneys in 13 offices across the U.S. who provide a full range of legal services to clients on a global, regional, and local basis.
With 15 years of experience, Leah takes a big-picture approach in advising clients as they face challenges on environmental, food safety and other regulatory compliance issues, drawing on her experience with federal and state public agencies. Leah’s work includes helping clients implement the Food Safety Modernization Act and related risk mitigation approaches, advising on food labeling matters, providing environmental liability assessments and risk management during transactional due diligence, and navigating local, county, and state regulatory matters.
Leah also has substantial experience with Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including assisting clients with addressing regulatory and permitting matters associated with PFAS compounds used during fire-fighting activities, performing detailed legal analyses regarding the extent of state and federal regulatory authority related to PFAS compounds, evaluating PFAS-focused supply chain requirements and advising clients on best practices to assess current and historical PFAS risk exposures and related considerations. Her work includes the legal issues associated with PFAS and other contamination plumes that impact drinking water resources and residential homes.
Ms. Ziemba is ranked by Chambers USA as “Leading” Natural Resources & Environment attorney and has been recognized as one of In Business Madison’s 40 Under 40.
All Times Eastern
International Food Policies: Codex and the UN Food Systems Summit
With international bodies such as the Codex Alimentarius and the UN Food Systems Summit charting the course for global food systems, industry engagement is ever more critical. Hear about work on Codex standards that will impact the trade of dairy products and gain insights into how the UN Food Systems Summit is aiming to dramatically change the way food is produced and consumed around the world.
Speakers: Mary Frances Lowe, U.S. Manager, Codex Alimentarius, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Donald Moore, Executive Director, Global Dairy Platform
Food Fights in the Courtroom – Litigation Update
In 2021, litigation often drives food labeling decisions, not FDA regulations. In the last decade, lawsuits over food labeling focused mainly on the use of claims such as “natural” and “healthy.” More recently, plaintiffs have scrutinized and courts have considered a multitude of other labeling claims, as well as the labeling of plant-based foods and flavor labeling. In this session, Elizabeth Fawell 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: Elizabeth Fawell, Partner, Hogan Lovells
The “Forever” Evolving Regulation of PFAS: A State and EPA Update
Several years after PFAS began making headlines, legislators and regulators in several states and Washington DC are still seeking to understand the potential scope of contamination and standard to protect human health and the environment. This panel will provide both legal and technical updates to actions by EPA and states relating to the establishment of drinking and surface water standards, effluent limits, and air discharge permitting requirements. Additionally, the panel will discuss USPEA’s progress toward the potential designation of PFAS as hazardous substances under CERCLA or a hazardous waste under RCRA and how these actions compare to those of the states. The goal of this session is to help IDFA members understand their risks and avoid costly mistakes and liability.
Speaker: Matt Schroeder, Senior Environmental Engineer, Dragun Corporation
Leah Ziemba, Partner, Michael Best
Front of Pack Labeling: At Our Doorstep?
Front of Pack (FOP) nutrition labeling continues to take root in many Latin American countries, but it is increasingly finding a home in other countries as well, including those in North America. The presentation will focus on FOP labeling activities in Canada and Mexico, and also reveal what the FDA may be considering for US labels. Hear also about how FOP labeling requirements may be the gateway to other types of restrictions for the marketing and sales of food products.
Speaker: Beth Johnson, Founder & Principal, Food Directions LLC
California Prop 65 “101”: What the Dairy Industry Needs to Know
As federal and state agencies evaluate how to regulate chemicals in food, California’s Prop 65 warning and disclosure law continues to pose legal risks to the dairy and larger food and beverage industry. In this session, hear the basics of Prop 65, how it’s enforced, and best practices for reducing your company’s litigation exposure. In addition, practical guidance will be provided on the implications on the testing of your products for Prop 65 listed chemicals as well as your suppliers’ ingredients and satisfying your customers’ requests for warranties of compliance.
Speaker: Emily Lyons, Senior Associate, Husch Blackwell LLP
Sodium Recommendations: How Low Could They Go?
School meals must meet sodium limits and those levels could be required to go even lower. How did these target levels evolve and what do they mean for food safety, functionality and student preference?
Speakers: Cheryl Isberner, Team Leader, K-12, Land O'Lakes Inc.
Christa Spaeth, Culinary Center Food and Nutrition Manager, Land O'Lakes Inc.
New Era for Smarter Food Safety?
The US FDA continues to make plans for implementing their New Era of Food Safety Blueprint. Hear from the agency what steps they are taking, how information will be shared, and efforts to engage with stakeholders. The New Era Blueprint outlines the work the agency is planning to undertake over the next decade to modernize our food safety approaches and build on the framework established by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). It includes work to enhance traceability, improve predictive analytics, respond more rapidly to outbreaks, address new business models, reduce contamination of food, and foster the development of stronger food safety cultures.
Speakers: Nathan Anderson, Ph.D., Agricultural Engineer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Understanding the Evolution of Environmental Justice and Regulatory Policy
Consideration of environmental justice impacts has been part of the regulatory and permitting process for decades. However, social, cultural and legal changes over the last few years have elevated environmental justice to the highest priority of government policy and enforcement. In this session, Byron Brown and Simone Jones will provide an overview of environmental justice, including its history, and discuss the ways that environmental justice features prominently in policy and regulation in the Biden administration. The attorneys also will provide practical ways to limit environmental justice-related risks at the processing plant, farm, and supply-chain levels.
Speakers: Byron Brown, Senior Counsel, Crowell & Moring LLP
Simone Jones, Associate, Sidley Austin LLP
Speakers
Nathan Anderson, Ph.D.
Agricultural Engineer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Nathan Anderson, Ph.D.
Byron Brown
Senior Counsel, Crowell & Moring LLP
Byron Brown
Byron R. Brown is a senior counsel in the Washington D.C. office. He is in the firm’s Government Affairs and Environment & Natural Resources groups. Byron has almost two decades of experience working at the intersection of law and policy and has experience negotiating legislation, drafting regulations, managing congressional investigations, preparing regulatory comments, and developing and executing government affairs strategies before Congress and the executive branch. Earlier in his career, Byron worked for more than a decade as an attorney in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of General Counsel, including several years as associate deputy general counsel during both the Bush and Obama administrations. After leaving EPA, Byron served as senior counsel and director of oversight and investigations for the Committee on Natural Resources for the U.S. House of Representatives and then as senior counsel for the Committee on Environment and Public Works in the U.S. Senate. He also has experience as a legislative fellow in the personal office of a U.S. Senator. Prior to joining the firm in August 2018, Byron served as deputy chief of staff for policy at the EPA, where he coordinated the agency’s work on infrastructure and led several rulemaking initiatives.
Elizabeth B. Fawell
Partner, Hogan Lovells
Elizabeth B. Fawell
Successfully navigating the detailed and often complex regulatory issues confronting the food industry, Elizabeth Fawell helps companies understand both the rules and various risks involved to make the most informed and strategic decisions.
Elizabeth has worked with every segment of the food industry, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, restaurants, and food service operators, as well as their trade associations.
Her work on behalf of food industry clients with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) since its inception and her understanding of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems provides her with the experience and perspective needed to counsel clients on how to comply with new requirements under the law. Elizabeth is also a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) and has completed the FSPCA PCQI training.
Elizabeth understands how laws, regulations, and guidance documents are developed, interpreted, and enforced. Her extensive knowledge enables clients to prevent or respond to enforcement actions such as Warning Letters, Import Alerts, and agency investigations. She helps clients in determining whether an RFR report is necessary and whether a recall is warranted. If so, she helps manage the recall to minimize business impacts.
Elizabeth provides real-time advice during factory inspections, helps clients prepare 483 responses, and drafts inspection manuals. She assists clients in lawfully and creatively promoting their products; such as the development of labels, claims, and website and promotional campaigns. Elizabeth also supports clients in advertising disputes and with responses to FTC and Attorney General investigations.
Elizabeth helps clients stay informed of and ahead of public policy issues and develops strategies for effective advocacy before regulators. She also counsels clients on compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards, testing and certification requirements, and reporting obligations.
Elizabeth is also a member of the Food and Dietary Supplements Committee of the Food and Drug Law Institute.
Cheryl Isberner
Team Leader, K-12, Land O'Lakes Inc.
Cheryl Isberner
Beth Johnson
Founder + Principal, Food Directions LLC
Beth Johnson
Beth Johnson, brings over 25 years of food policy experience serving inside and outside the government, including the Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Agriculture, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and the National Restaurant Association, where she built strong relationships with a broad group of stakeholders and a unique and in-depth understanding of how industry can impact policy decisions. Over the years, Johnson has been involved in policy negotiations and development at the local, state, federal and international level. She also helped lead USDA’s work on CODEX and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Beth holds relationships with administration officials, agency career staff, key congressional offices as well as public health and consumer advocates that help pave the way for fruitful discussions for our clients. Johnson lives near Annapolis with her husband and two daughters.
Simone Jones
Associate, Sidley Austin LLP
Simone Jones
Simone Jones is an environmental associate in the Washington, D.C. office. Her specialties include complex environmental litigation and internal investigations, particularly in the automotive, chemical, and refining sectors. Her recent cases include defending original equipment manufacturers and senior executives in matters involving auxiliary emission control devices, fuel economy and onboard diagnostics before federal courts, EPA, CARB, DOJ, the FBI, the SEC and other agencies. Simone also advises and defends companies in emerging contaminant matters involving PFAS and other substances. As one of the leaders of Sidley’s Environmental Justice group, Simone advises and defends leading companies on EJ and other social justice issues.
Simone also has extensive experience in complex class action defense, white collar criminal defense and internal and government investigations, as well as general commercial litigation. She has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in various jurisdictions and in all stages of litigation, including initiating complaints, developing litigation strategy, briefing dispositive motions, taking and defending depositions, working with expert witnesses, managing discovery and assisting with appeals.
In addition, Simone has experience successfully defending corporations in high-stakes consumer class action suits alleging consumer fraud, violations of the civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and other federal statutes, as well as violations of state laws. She also has initiated a breach of contract action, achieving a significant victory on behalf of clients after drafting a successful, dispositive motion and arguing the matter before the court. Simone also has experience responding to government subpoenas and defending and investigating claims of bribery, in addition to purported violations of criminal RICO and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Simone maintains an active pro bono practice and was awarded the Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and received the Thomas H. Morsch Award for Pro Bono Achievement. In addition, she recently secured class certification for a United States military veteran.
Simone earned her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she served as the editor of the Seventh Circuit Review Honors Journal. Simone earned her Master of Public Health from Tulane University and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Arkansas.
Simone was recognized by Super Lawyers as an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2014–2018.
Mary Frances Lowe
U.S. Manager, Codex Alimentarius, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Mary Frances Lowe
Emily Lyons
Senior Associate, Husch Blackwell LLP
Emily Lyons
Emily R. Lyons is a senior associate 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.
Donald Moore
Executive Director, Global Dairy Platform
Donald Moore
Donald Moore is the executive director of the Global Dairy Platform, which works to promote the nutrient richness of dairy products, bring balance and research to the role of milkfat in the diet and provide clarity on how dairy is managing its relationship with the environment. From the dairy industry to the information technology and business consulting arenas, Moore has held a variety of general management, strategic and marketing roles.
Prior to this, he served as director ingredients marketing for Fonterra Cooperative Group. He has also held various senior executive roles with Fonterra, including director of business development for the global ingredients business and regional managing director for Oceania. Moore was also a member of the Fonterra sustainability leadership council and the food and regulatory assurance council.
Born in Northern Ireland, Moore moved to New Zealand in the 1970s where he finished his schooling before joining the IT industry. Before entering the dairy industry, Moore spent nine years as chief executive of New Zealand’s largest independent business and information management consulting firm where he oversaw its international expansion opening offices across South East Asia.
Matt Schroeder
Senior Environmental Engineer, The Dragun Corporation
Matt Schroeder
Matt is the Senior Environmental Engineer at The Dragun Corporation. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is a registered professional engineer in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Georgia, and Arizona.
He has over 25 years of experience in environmental remediation and compliance for industrial, municipal, commercial, and agricultural clients. He has managed projects in over 30 states and/or provinces in North America ranging up to $10 million.
Matt has provided advice on PFAS issues related to groundwater, soil, wastewater, and waste. Amongst his PFAS experiences, he is currently managing a former military site that has multiple groundwater PFAS plumes. Matt regularly participates in industry work groups and speaks at conferences on PFAS issues.
Christa Spaeth
Culinary Center Food and Nutrition Manager, Land O'Lakes Inc.
Christa Spaeth
Leah Ziemba
Partner, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Leah Ziemba
Leah Ziemba is a partner at the law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP in its Madison, Wisconsin office and co-chairs the firm’s Agribusiness, Food and Beverage Industry Team. Michael Best is a leading law firm, with more than 250 attorneys in 13 offices across the U.S. who provide a full range of legal services to clients on a global, regional, and local basis.
With 15 years of experience, Leah takes a big-picture approach in advising clients as they face challenges on environmental, food safety and other regulatory compliance issues, drawing on her experience with federal and state public agencies. Leah’s work includes helping clients implement the Food Safety Modernization Act and related risk mitigation approaches, advising on food labeling matters, providing environmental liability assessments and risk management during transactional due diligence, and navigating local, county, and state regulatory matters.
Leah also has substantial experience with Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including assisting clients with addressing regulatory and permitting matters associated with PFAS compounds used during fire-fighting activities, performing detailed legal analyses regarding the extent of state and federal regulatory authority related to PFAS compounds, evaluating PFAS-focused supply chain requirements and advising clients on best practices to assess current and historical PFAS risk exposures and related considerations. Her work includes the legal issues associated with PFAS and other contamination plumes that impact drinking water resources and residential homes.
Ms. Ziemba is ranked by Chambers USA as “Leading” Natural Resources & Environment attorney and has been recognized as one of In Business Madison’s 40 Under 40.
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