The Food and Drug Administration has named Donna Garren as the new director for its office of produce safety.
The office is housed in the FDA’s office of microbiology food safety. The responsibilities of the office include creating regulations, policies and guidance for fresh fruits, vegetables and processed plant products. Its core mission focuses on preventing foodborne illnesses and microbial contamination throughout the growing, harvesting, packing and holding processes.
The office is also responsible for setting minimum safety standards under the Food Safety and Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule, including agricultural water requirements and risk-based microbial controls. In addition, the office manages the Division of Fresh Produce Safety and the Division of Processed Food and Beverages Safety.
Garren has a strong industry history, having most recently worked as executive vice president at the American Frozen Food Institute where she led the organization's regulatory affairs and legislative affairs programs.
Conrad Choiniere, senior executive at FDA’s Human Foods Program, said Garren’s background in food safety, nutrition, and regulatory affairs was instrumental in building strong, effective legislative and regulatory programs for the food and beverage industry.
In addition to her work for the American Frozen Food Institute, Garren worked in leadership roles at Boskovich Farms, the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, vice president of health and safety regulatory affairs at the National Restaurant Association, and as vice president of food safety programs the Consumer Goods Forum.
She also worked for as president and general manager at NSF International and, according to Choiniere, demonstrated strong produce industry expertise spanning the farm-to-fork supply chain, along with strong relationships across consumer advocate organizations, regulatory organizations, and academia.
“Her hands-on experience navigating the intersection of federal agencies, industry stakeholders, and international food safety frameworks, paired with her extensive network across all of these groups, will accelerate collaboration and advance our food safety and public health priorities,” said Choiniere.
“She is a proven consensus builder, well-positioned to support FDA's transparency and public engagement goals while driving results through partnership.”
Garren earned a doctorate degree in food science and technology from the University of Georgia.
