Government Relations Committee, Task Forces and Working Groups

Work on the The Government Relations Committee, Task Forces and Working Groups helps ASTA in its strategic goals to monitor and shape U.S. policy issues affecting the spice industry:

  • Monitor regulatory and policy developments
  • Maintain strong relationships with federal agencies, legislators, state governments and other key policy stakeholders
  • Develop comments and positions on emerging regulations to advocate for the spice industry
  • Provide tools and resources to educate the spice industry on new policy and regulatory developments including FSMA and much more
  • Plan the ASTA Regulatory Workshop held in Washington DC annually

Beyond those listed below, ASTA also regularly develops new task forces to work on special projects. Interested in joining a committee, task force or working group?  Let us know what kind of volunteer opportunities you are interested in and we will let you know when the right opportunity comes available.

Government Relations Committee Member Roster 2020-2021

Goals/Workplan

  • Release trade and tariff FAQs to membership in April 2019
  • Monitor and respond to pending FDA and other governmental agency activities,
    including new regulations, guidance, recalls, etc.
  • Monitor and respond to 2020 Dietary Guidelines Committee
  • Plan the ASTA Regulatory Workshop held in Washington DC in October
  • Continue to offer inspection forum calls quarterly or as needed
 Ron Elton, John H. Elton, Inc.
Danielle Dalhem, Frito-Lay Pepsico
Suzanne Jenkins, Red Monkey Foods
Mirjad Keka, Buhler AG
Carol Kitchen, B&G Foods
Kurt Martin, WM. E Martin & Sons Co., Inc.
Steven Mitchell, Certified Laboratories
Lisa Patel, Kalsec, Inc.
Tracey Roane, Givaudan Flavors Corp.
Peter Sayia (Board Liaison), A.A. Sayia & Co., Inc.
Tom Schmidt, Spice Chain Corporation
Sanny Shah, Griffith Foods
Chris Stevenson (Chair), McCormick & Company, Inc.
Tim Sonntag, Wixon
Vinay Sreekumar, OlamASTA Staff Liaison
Jessica Skerritt
Poppy Seed Task Force
Purpose: Senator Cotton of Arkansas is pushing for legislation to establish a limit of
opium alkaloids in poppy seeds.Objectives:

  • Advocate for regulatory/legislative initiatives that will not disrupt the legitimate
    trade of poppy seeds for food
  • Advise ASTA staff and relevant government bodies on the poppy seed food trade
    Timeline: This task force will remain in effect until legislation/regulation
    pertaining to this issue is resolved
 Ron Elton, John H. Elton, Inc.
Kurt Martin, WM. E Martin & Sons Co., Inc.
Sarah Pundt, Frontier Co-op
Peter Sayia (Board Liaison), A.A. Sayia & Co., Inc.
Tom Schmidt, Spice Chain Corporation
Chris Stevenson, McCormick & Company, Inc.ASTA Staff Liaison
Laura Shumow
Jessica Skerritt