It’s not every day that officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gather together with a university dean and private sector executives. At IDFA’s first annual Regulatory RoundUP, June 24-25, in Washington, D.C., several of the country’s highest-level regulatory officials and decision-makers in the federal government and in the private sector will lead discussions on regulations in the dairy industry.

“Each session will focus on an issue of critical importance to dairy and offer opportunities for our members to exchange views with the presenters,” said Clay Detlefsen, IDFA vice president for regulatory affairs and counsel.

Here is a preview of six of the featured speakers:

Mike Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine, FDA
The two-day meeting will kick-off with a keynote address by Taylor. As the leader of efforts involving the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Taylor will discuss the newest food safety regulations, guidelines, timing for implementation and upcoming changes.

Jill Kevala, Ph.D., and Paula Trumbo, Ph.D., Nutrition Programs, Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA
These leading officials in nutrition will discuss wide-ranging proposed label changes to serving sizes, required and permitted nutrients, and Daily Values.  The session will also help dairy professionals to understand how the new rules may affect milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream products on the market. 

Kathryn Boor, Ph.D., Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University
Boor will provide an in-depth look into her research in microbial dairy food safety and quality, as well as discuss the need for a system-based approach for optimizing growth in the dairy industry. She will also discuss Cornell’s successful efforts in using broad-based research, teaching and extension expertise to address issues critical to the growth of the dairy industry. 

Diane Lewis, Director, Dairy Grading and Standards Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA
Lewis has more than 33 years of experience in the federal government and the dairy industry on international market access, plant inspection and certification issues. Her session will focus on the ways that USDA and IDFA are working together to promote greater transparency, consistency and added value for USDA services.

John Sheehan, Director of Plant and Dairy Food Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA
Being at the forefront of dairy activity at FDA, Sheehan will present on his team’s activities. He will also offer insight into how his office will address the upcoming regulatory issues related to the dairy industry.

Elizabeth Fawell, Hogan Lovells US LLP
Fawell, an expert on food and agriculture law, will provide an in-depth look into how regulations are created in Washington. She will discuss the “notice and comment” rule-making process under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), as well as many other regulatory promulgation schemes.

Additional influential presenters will lead sessions on terrorism protection programs, the ENERGY STAR program and Federal Nutrition programs.

For the full agenda and to register, visit the IDFA website. For more information, contact Detlefsen at cdetlefsen@idfa.org.