FDA Deputy Commissioner among speakers announced for IFPA’s The Washington Conference

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2026 – The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) BB #:378962 today announced the featured Food Safety and Nutrition education sessions for The Washington Conference, taking place June 8–10, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

The conference’s opening day on Monday, June 8, will bring together senior Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials, representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), industry executives, nutrition experts, and food safety leaders for a comprehensive, two-part session designed to equip fresh produce leaders with the insights and tools they need to drive meaningful change on Capitol Hill and beyond.

Headlining the Monday programming is a keynote featuring Kyle Diamantas, Deputy Commissioner of the FDA Human Foods Program.

Diamantas will share the FDA’s department structure, vision for food safety and nutrition, and key 2026 priorities, offering attendees a direct look at how the agency’s agenda intersects with fresh produce industry interests.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Table through Nutrition and Food Safety

This featured session focuses on the FDA’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, with in-depth discussion of initiatives expected to launch in 2026. Attendees will explore Front of Pack labeling proposals, updated nutrition claims, and the implications of these changes for fresh produce from consumption patterns to packaging requirements.

This segment will also tackle one of the most pressing questions in federal nutrition policy: the definition and regulation of ultra-processed foods.

“The intersection of FDA’s evolving priorities and what we do every day across the fresh produce supply chain has never been more consequential,” said Dana Brennan, Chair of the IFPA U.S. Council Public Policy Committee and Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Grimmway Produce Group. “Having Deputy Commissioner Diamantas in the room gives our members a rare opportunity to ask the real questions and help shape what science-based food safety looks like going forward.”

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

• Sarah Sorscher, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Center for Science in the Public Interest
• Tim Marcroft, Senior Manager, Business Development & Government Affairs, Taylor Farms Retail
• Veronica Colas, Partner, Food & Beverage Regulatory Practice Group, Hogan Lovells
• Claudine Kavanaugh, PhD, MPH, RD, Director of the FDA Office of Nutrition and Food Labeling
• Sean Cash, PhD, Economist, Chair Ag, Food and Environment, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
• Anna Rosales, RD, Vice President Science & Policy, Institute of Food Technologists
• Jacob Villagomez, Director of Government Relations at California Citrus Mutual
• Elizabeth Campbell, VP of Government Affairs and Media Relations at the School Nutrition Association
• Anna Rosales, RD, Vice President Science & Policy, Institute of Food Technologists

Food Safety: Epidemiology, AI, and the Road Ahead

The second half of the Monday session turns to food safety, opening with a deep dive into how epidemiological data shapes outbreak response and regulatory action.

Attendees will hear from:

• Laura Gieraltowski, CDC Deputy Branch Chief for Outbreak Response and Prevention
• Jennifer Beal, Team Lead for Signals and Surveillance at FDA’s Human Foods Program
• Steven Musser, Ph.D., Associate Commissioner for Science Research, FDA HFP
• Jeff Priebe, M.Sc., VP Quality Assurance & Food Safety, Danaco Solutions

The session closes with a forward-looking panel on the role of artificial intelligence in food safety oversight. As FDA and international regulators apply AI-enabled tools to inspection prioritization, import screening, and surveillance, the panel will explore practical impacts and opportunities for greater alignment between the public and private sectors.

After a full day of sessions, attendees then visit Capitol Hill to share perspectives with their representatives.

“The Washington Conference has always been where our industry speaks with one voice, and this year’s sessions reflect just how much ground we need to cover,” said Steve Grinstead, IFPA At Large Executive Committee Member, United States Council Chair, and Executive Chairman of FreshEdge. “From nutrition labeling to AI in food safety, these conversations are going to matter, not just for Washington, but for every grower, distributor, and retailer in our supply chain.”

For more information on the full conference schedule or to register for The Washington Conference, visit www.freshproduce.com/events/the-washington-conference/.

About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our members’ prosperity by conducting advocacy, connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence. IFPA represents member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.

Contact: Ashley Sempowski, media@freshproduce.com, (202) 303-3406