D.C. Section of IFT to Host Food Policy Impact Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington, D.C. section of the Institute of Food Technologists (DC-IFT), in partnership with the American Society for Nutrition (ASN), is hosting a special two-day food policy event that will review the latest updates in food and nutrition related regulations, policies and programs as well as receive input from industry on how organizations are planning to or are already responding to these changes.

Food Policy Impact 2024, which will be held Feb. 27-28 in Washington, D.C., will feature updates from leaders across key governing bodies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Day one will kick off with an opening keynote from Food Fix founder Helena Bottemiller Evich on the food and nutrition policy landscape in 2024, followed by a series of regulatory agency updates:

• FDA: Jim Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods (FDA)
• 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Janet de Jesus, nutrition advisor (DHHS), and Eve Stoody, director of the Nutritional Guidance and Analysis Division (USDA)
• USDA: Sandra Eskin, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA)
• EPA: Jeffrey Dawson, science advisor, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (EPA)
• Dietary Reference Intakes for Macronutrients: Cindy Davis, national program leader, Agricultural Research Service (USDA)

Day two — which will start with updates from Anna Rosales, IFT senior director of government affairs and nutrition, and Sarah Ohlhorst, ASN chief science policy officer — will explore topics related to food policy, including conflicting federal and state regulations; the strengths and weaknesses of a global food supply; the benefits and risk of weight loss drugs; exploring the connection between food and mood; and the potential for collaboration between industry and the public sector.

“After the resounding success of last year’s food policy event, we are thrilled to once again welcome back top food and nutrition leaders across government, industry and academia as we come together to discuss the ever-changing U.S. food and nutrition regulatory landscape,” said DC-IFT President Kelly Higgins, Ph.D., MPH, a clinical nutrition scientist at scientific and engineering consulting firm Exponent.

Higgins has been an IFT member since 2013 and a member of the D.C. section board since 2019. The Washington, D.C. section of IFT is one of 53 regional sections of IFT. Each section plans a variety of local and regional events throughout the year, including Suppliers’ Nights, social events, educational sessions, philanthropic activities and special events for students and new professionals.

To learn more or register for the event, click here or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/food-policy-impact-2024-tickets-805814461747. General admission is $200, and $75 for students. Space is limited.