The biggest driver for dairy foods companies to change their labels is responding to consumers' demand for more information, especially regarding marketing claims. But when food companies use the terms “healthy” and “natural” on their labels, these terms do not always mean the same things to consumers, advocates and regulators.

IDFA’s Regulatory RoundUP, June 12-13, in Washington, D.C., will explore the current definitions of these terms, look at what consumers understand and discuss the different regulatory changes the Food and Drug Administration may make for these claims.

“The lack of a clear regulatory definition for the terms ‘natural’ and ‘healthy’ has led to consumer confusion when reading labels and uncertainty for dairy companies putting them on their labels,” said Cary Frye, IDFA vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs. “The Food and Drug Administration is starting to work on a regulatory definition for ‘natural’ and revisions to the existing healthy claim, provide needed direction to the industry and establish clear expectations for use of these terms.”

The session, “Labeling Trends: How to Define Natural and Healthy,” will feature presenters who are working on the front lines of this issue: Janet Collins, Ph.D., senior vice president of science and regulatory affairs with CropLife America, and Tony Pavel, senior food lawyer with Cargill. Frye will moderate the panel.

Speakers

Janet Collins heads science and regulatory affairs efforts at CropLife America, the largest national trade organization representing developers, manufacturers, formulators and distributors of agricultural pesticides across the United States. She has more than 30 years of professional experience and leadership in regulatory affairs and nutrition science and is a globally respected voice on agricultural science.

Anthony Pavel is responsible for food and feed law across Cargill, Inc.’s North American businesses. Previously, he was the deputy chair of the FDA practice at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, and served as general counsel and secretary to the Enzyme Technical Association and as Chair of the Institute of Food Technologist's food laws and regulations division.

Regulatory RoundUP

IDFA’s Regulatory RoundUP is designed specifically to address the most pressing regulatory issues facing IDFA member companies and provide information and guidance on preparing for regulatory changes. It gives industry professionals the ability to speak directly with those who create and enforce dairy regulations.

The Conference will be held June 12-13 at the Loews Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C., and will provide information-packed, interactive sessions for dairy industry professionals and key government regulators. The list of sessions is available here.

IDFA invites all dairy company and plant professionals who are responsible for understanding and complying with dairy regulations, as well as the suppliers who work with dairy plants on federal, state and local standards for dairy foods manufacturing.

For more information contact Melissa Lembke, IDFA manager of meetings and educational services, at mlembke@idfa.org.