What is the Food Technical & Regulatory Affairs Professionals Group?
The Food Technical & Regulatory Affairs Professionals Group (sometimes called FTRAC - more on that below) is one of the American Bakers Association's Professionals Groups. This group of ABA Member companies' regulatory and quality assurance employees decide the direction and consensus on key food safety and nutrition issues affecting the entire baking industry. While this group is only open to ABA Member companies, relevant employees of member companies are encouraged to get involved.
What are some decisions this group makes?
The Food Technical and Regulatory Affairs group decides which critical issues the baking industry addresses - including legislative and regulatory matters involving food safety, food labeling, nutrition, food defense, wheat and flour quality research, and biotechnology. The specific issues the group tackles are driven by the Professionals in the group with guidance from industry experts assembled by the American Bakers Association.
This sounds like a lot of work.
Not really. The Group meets three times per year in-person plus at least one webinar meeting a year. Attendance is not mandatory but is highly encouraged since active participation is the best way to stay up to date on the latest regulations and policies. There are no additional Membership dues to be a part of this Group nor a need to apply to be in it. There is no limit to the number of people in the Group per ABA Member company. The more insight from our Members, the more meaningful the actions we can take together.
What will my company get out of being a part of this Group?
The regulatory landscape for our Members changes constantly; therefore, Professionals in this group receive the latest regulatory updates impacting the industry from the experts on the front lines of the issues. This information is essential for ABA Members. Importantly, Professionals in Food Technical & Regulatory Affairs define consensus, which then informs the positions ABA uses to advocate on behalf of the industry to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, and Health and Human Services.
Why do people sometimes call this Group FTRAC?
That's because the American Bakers Association once referred to our Professionals Groups as Committees and the group was called the Food Technical & Regulatory Affairs Committee, or FTRAC.
How can my company get involved with the Food Technical & Regulatory Affairs Professionals Group?
Contact Membership Services at info@americanbakers.org.
Learn more about what you didn't know about ABA's Professionals Groups.
This is part of our series on Professionals Groups. Check out the Spotlight on Human Resources & Safety, Commodity & Agriculture Policy, and What You Didn’t Know about ABA Professionals Groups.
