We are excited to announce that the Washington D.C. Section of the Institute of Food Technologists will be hosting Food Policy Impact 2025 from Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at ArentFox Schiff LLP in Washington, DC.
During this gathering, we will discuss the latest policy updates directly from representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Health and Human Services (DHHS), and others. We will also look ahead at potential activities in the space under the Trump Administration, including implications and impacts of the “Make American Healthy Again (MAHA)” movement.
We will explore various hot topics related to food policy, including:
- Ultra-processed foods and implications within federal programs;
- Federal and state activities on food colors, additives, and GRAS substances;
- Progress and controversy in establishing the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans;
- Current updates and activities related to food traceability and safety;
Experts from diverse backgrounds will share their insights and experiences, providing valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Whether you are a policy maker, industry professional, or simply interested in the future of food, this event is a must-attend. Engage in lively discussions, network with like-minded individuals, and gain a deeper understanding of the impact food policies have on the world of food and nutrition. Register now to secure your spot at Food Policy Impact 2025!
Please register by April 25th on Eventbrite.
Food Policy Impact 2025 Schedule of Events
April 29, 2025
1:05 – 1:55 pm
Keynote Address: Communicating Science Amongst Controversy and Misinformation
- Description: Why does effective communication about food science and policy matter and what can we do about it? Food policy and nutrition science are at the center of public debate. In an era of misinformation, consumer skepticism, and conflicting narratives, how can experts effectively communicate evidence-based insights? This session will explore strategies for cutting through the noise—building trust, countering misinformation, and engaging diverse stakeholders in meaningful dialogue.
- Speaker: Laura Lindenfeld, Stony Brook University, Executive Director of the Alda Center for Communicating Science and Dean of the School of Communication and Journalism
2:00 – 2:45 pm
What’s New in Congress? Updates on the Make America Healthy Again Caucus and the Farm Bill
- Description: With food, nutrition, and agriculture policy at the forefront of national discussions, understanding the latest developments, potential policy changes, and what they mean for stakeholders is crucial for navigating the evolving dynamics in food policy. Congressional Caucuses like the Make America Healthy Again Caucus have committed to championing priorities under the Make America Healthy Again agenda while the policymakers are in discussions to move forward on a new Farm Bill. This session will provide key updates on these congressional efforts to address nutrition, public health, and agricultural priorities so you know what to expect next from Capitol Hill.
- Speakers: Lacy Pitts, Legislative Assistant, Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas)
2:45 – 3:30 pm
Coffee Break
3:30 – 4:00pm
FDA Update: Human Foods Program
- Description: The Human Foods Program (HFP) oversees all FDA activities related to food safety and nutrition and is organized in a single group working under the Deputy Commissioner of Human Foods. Its mission is to ensure that food is a source of wellness for all U.S. consumers through science-based approaches to prevent foodborne illness, reduce diet-related chronic disease, and ensure chemicals in food are safe. Learn how the HFP priorities and structure have shifted since the Biden Administration and what this means for food policy.
- Speakers: Mark Hartman, Director of Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements and Innovation at the Food and Drug Administration
4:00 – 4:45 pm
What’s Next with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
- Description: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) play a key role in shaping federal nutrition policy, informing food assistance programs, and guiding healthcare recommendations. This session will provide updates as HHS and USDA work toward the release of the next edition of the DGAs.
- Speakers:
- Eve Stoody, PhD, Director, Nutrition Guidance and Analysis Division, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion at the United States Department of Agriculture
- Janet de Jesus, MS, RD, Senior Nutrition Advisor, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the United States Department of Health and Human Services
5:15 pm – 7:30 pm
Networking Reception (at ArentFox Schiff)
April 30, 2025
8:30 – 9:00 am
Breakfast
9:15 – 10:15 am
Alcohol and ultra-processed foods: Understanding the drivers of desire, intake, and “addiction”
- Description: The hedonic appeal of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is often discussed as a possible factor contributing to overconsumption and obesity risk. However, do these foods uniquely contribute to overconsumption, cravings, and even “food addiction”? This panel will lay the groundwork as to whether foods (regardless of degree of processing) can be addictive as well as results from recent trials on neurological responses UPF intake and the intersection of food and alcohol behavior motivation. Scientific experts will discuss the evidence, areas of controversy, and potential consumer strategies for navigating “food noise.”
- Speakers:
- David Kareken, Professor & Vice Chair of Research, Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine
- Kelly Higgins, Managing Scientist, Exponent
10:15 – 10:45 am
Coffee break
10:45 – 11:15 am
Fireside Chat: Lessons Learned and Future Directions in Food with Jim Jones and Helena Bottemiller Evich
- Description: The past few years have brought significant shifts in food policy—driven by global supply chain disruptions, evolving nutrition science, and changing consumer demands. What have we learned from these challenges, and how can policymakers and industry leaders apply these lessons moving forward? This session will reflect on key developments in food policy over the last year, from front-of-pack labeling and dietary guidelines to food chemical initiatives. Join Jim Jones, former Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the Food and Drug Administration, and Food Fix Founder Helena Bottemiller Evich for a fireside chat to understand how these past lessons can help inform today’s food policy environment.
- Speakers:
- Jim Jones, former FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods
- Helena Bottemiller Evich, founder and editor-in-chief of Food Fix
11:15 am – 12:30 pm
State Activity vs. Federal Actions – Food Colors, Sweeteners, and Additives: How Did We Get Here? What’s Next?
- Description: As states take an increasingly active role in regulating the use of food ingredients—diverging from federal standards—what does this mean for the future of food policy in the U.S.? The panel will discuss how we arrived at the current situation from industry, legal, and regulatory perspectives, examining recent and emerging state-level actions on food colors, sweeteners, and additives, and what the state activities might mean for federal regulations. Experts will explore the legal, scientific, and industry implications of this evolving regulatory landscape, discussing key questions: Will we see greater state-federal alignment or continued fragmentation? How might these policies impact food manufacturers, consumers, and global trade? Join us for a timely discussion on what’s next at the state and federal levels.
- Speakers:
- Dr. Craig Llewelyn, Principal Scientist, Exponent
- Dr. Dennis Keefe, Senior Managing Scientist, Exponent
- Mr. Tony Pavel, Partner, Keller & Heckman
- Mr. Dan Colegrove, Partner, Prism Group
12:30 -1:45 pm
Networking Lunch
1:45 – 2:45 pm
Tariffs, Trade, Immigration – Impacts on Food and Agriculture
- Description: The policies on tariffs, trade agreements, and immigration policies have the potential for profound impacts on the food and agriculture sectors, from supply chain disruptions to shifting export markets and labor shortages. This panel will explore the effects of these policies for farmers and food manufacturers. Experts will discuss what these changes mean for the future of U.S. agriculture and food production, as well as potential paths forward under the current administration. Join us for an insightful discussion on the intersection of policy, economics, and the global food system.
- Speakers:
- Ted McKinney, CEO, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)
- Joy Marie Virga, Associate, ArentFox Schiff
- David Boussios, Head Economist, DecisionNext
2:45 – 3:00 pm
Coffee Break
3:00 – 4:15 pm
Understanding SNAP Restrictions
- Description: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) plays a critical role in supporting millions of Americans. Ongoing debates at the state and federal level about restrictions for certain foods from the program have raised complex questions about SNAP’s role in reducing the chronic disease epidemic across the U.S. This panel will delve into the current proposals at the state level to restrict certain foods such as soda and candy from the program and what challenges and opportunities may arise from these cuts. How will SNAP restrictions impact the nutrition of millions of Americans on this program? Will such restrictions help Make America Healthy Again? Join us for a comprehensive discussion on the current landscape of SNAP restrictions and what might lie ahead for the program.
- Speakers:
- Allie Graham, MS, RDN, Vice President, Food & Nutrition Policy, Food Directions, moderator
- Olivia Lucaine, Policy Manager, Torrey Advisory Group
- Emily A. Callahan, MPH, RDN, Director of Policy Strategy, Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University
- Stephanie Johnson, RDN, Group Vice President, Government Relations, National Grocers Association
4:15 – 4:30pm
Recap and Wrap Up
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