International Fresh Produce Association Strengthens Food Safety Stance
January 12, 2022 The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced the addition of Gretchen Wall as Director, food safety & quality, as well as the promotion of Dr. Emily Griep to Vice President, regulatory compliance & global food safety standards. The moves are a part of IFPA’s commitment to serving as the industry’s source of support and advocacy in produce safety.
“The launch of IFPA gave us an opportunity to reflect on the current status and anticipate the future needs of the global produce supply chain,” says Dr. Jennifer McEntire, Chief Food Safety and Regulatory Officer. “The industry continues to put tremendous resources toward produce safety, and as the industry association, our team will provide expanded resources to help IFPA members stay on top of new knowledge and requirements related to produce safety.”
IFPA serves as a resource on food safety not only for members and the produce industry, but also to regulatory partners, policy makers, and members of the media within North America and other global markets. This will be seen in future offerings including an upcoming webinar for Central and South American markets on the newly proposed ag water rule.
“My doctoral work focused on food safety in global markets, and I am excited to use these experiences to support the breadth of the IFPA membership,” says Griep. “Consumers everywhere deserve to eat safe produce, and I look forward to supporting globally harmonized, science-based, practical produce safety standards.”
Prior to taking on this role, Griep served as manager, food safety, for the United Fresh Produce Association.
IFPA launched on January 1, 2022, officially succeeding legacy organizations, Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association. IFPA will continue the legacy of PMA and UFPA, providing extensive training and professional development opportunities for members looking to expand or solidify their produce safety knowledge, an area where Wall will be an invaluable resource.
“I’ve spent the past 10 years helping growers understand and apply the regulations and practices that govern produce safety,” says Wall, who joins IFPA from the Cornell University-based Produce Safety Alliance. “My earlier experiences with cold chain and quality issues will allow me to give holistic support to members who often manage food safety and quality.”
For more information about the association, visit freshproduce.com.