2023 Regulatory Update

Farida Mohamedshah is the senior vice-president of scientific and regulatory affairs at NCA, overseeing the association’s relationships with industry regulators and providing member companies with information on nutrition, food safety and other regulations that impact the manufacturing, distribution and sale of confectionery items.

Before joining NCA, Mohamedshah was the director of food, health and nutrition at the Institute of Food Technologists, serving as the group’s principal scientific and technical resource on these topics. She has published papers in the fields of nutrition and food science, and is a member of the American Society for Nutrition and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. As a nutritionist, she worked on a GRAS dossier and reviews for health and structure function claims for nutrients and bioactive components.

Mohamedshah has a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and a Master of Science in Textile Chemistry and Clothing from the University of Bombay and a Master of Science in Human Nutrition & Food Systems from the University of Maryland.

Conrad Choiniere, PhD provides executive leadership for a broad portfolio of scientific and regulatory functions including risk and decision analysis, social and behavioral sciences, epidemiology, biostatistics and informatics, education and outreach, and food defense. He chairs FDA’s Toxic Elements Working Group which prioritizes the agency’s efforts to reduce exposures to lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals from foods to the greatest extent feasible.

Dr. Choiniere has a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Rob Keith joined AMERIPEN in early 2022 as Membership and Policy Director. Rob has over a decade of experience in membership and government relations at conservation non-profits and outdoor industry associations.

Elizabeth Fawell is the food industry’s trusted advisor for everything from significant compliance and enforcement matters to day-to-day regulatory issues. She has considerable experience helping clients effectively negotiate consent decrees and manage recalls, inspections, Warning Letters and other crises. Elizabeth also is an effective advisor to clients developing new products, helping them navigate the regulatory framework and developing successful labeling and advertising campaigns. Elizabeth’s deep knowledge and experience with the FDA FSMA – having worked on FSMA since its inception, shaping both legislation and regulations – uniquely positions her to provide insightful guidance and practical advice on company food safety programs and to effectively advocate before the FDA on food safety policies and pending regulations.

Mason is the head of OFW Law’s FDA Food Practice and is also outside regulatory counsel to NCA. He advises businesses on laws and regulations involving the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, and distribution of FDA-regulated food and dietary supplements. Mason also provides counsel to other trade associations and commodity groups, which includes FDA-regulated industries, and advises businesses on transactional matters concerning FDA regulations and related requirements. With this work, Mason follows emerging food policy issues.

Beth Johnson, brings over 30 years of food policy experience serving inside and outside the government, including the Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Agriculture, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and the National Restaurant Association, where she built strong relationships with a broad group of stakeholders and a unique and in-depth understanding of how important it is to consider policy implications as research is developed, marketing programs are designed and advocacy plans are established. She has a passion for finding ways to meet today’s diet, health and hunger challenges while helping business thrive.

Bob Falk is an attorney, strategic consultant, and certified mediator primarily focused on California’s unique Proposition 65 warnings law. He is special counsel to NCA and several other trade associations regarding Proposition 65 and other California regulatory matters. Bob has negotiated and drafted more Proposition 65 settlements than anyone and has led or participated in numerous related mediations and court proceedings. He previously represented and counseled a wide variety of clients as a partner at the San Francisco-based law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP.

Bob’s expertise in Proposition 65 has been widely recognized. Legal 500 recommended him for such work as a “personable, professional, and a trusted adviser.” In addition, Bob has helped clients with FDA and CPSC requirements, California’s Unfair Competition and Consumer Legal Remedies statutes, and federal and state “green marketing” and “green chemistry” regulations.

Bob serves on the Advisory Board of Proposition 65 Clearinghouse and was a member of the American College of Environmental Lawyers. He previously chaired the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Environmental Law and served on the Advisory Board of the Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment at UC Berkeley.

Bob graduated from law school at UC Berkeley and has been admitted to the California bar since 1989. He previously obtained his master’s degree in public administration from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the State University of New York.

Tish Eggleston Pahl is a principal at Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC. She is regulatory counsel to drug, cosmetic, dietary supplement, food and cannabis clients with concerns before the FDA, the FTC, and other federal agencies. Her work has encompassed representation of companies making and marketing human and animal prescription and over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, cannabis and cosmetics. She also advises trade association clients on a range of antitrust and trade regulation issues and is General Counsel to the NCA. Tish is a regular participant in NCA activities, providing FDA regulatory and antitrust counsel to the Board, the Chocolate Council and other committees.

Tish is a frequent speaker on cannabis and pharmaceutical supply chain matters and teaches drug law courses at the FDA. Tish graduated from Northwestern University and earned her Juris Doctor from Northwestern University (cum laude).