The International Fresh Produce Association says two recent additions will complete its food safety team.
Angela Fraser has joined IFPA as vice president of food safety and quality, and Paul Lewis is now the vice president of food safety standards and regulatory compliance, according to a news release.
Fraser, who was most recently on faculty at Clemson University, is overseeing the IFPA food safety training and educational programs as well as providing technical support and outreach for the association’s members and the industry at large.
Lewis brings years of policy and advocacy experience to his role at IFPA where he will work with the government relations team to provide leadership for the association’s scientific and policy objectives related to food safety standards and regulatory compliance.
“I’m thrilled to have Fraser and Lewis complete our team,” IFPA Chief Food Safety and Regulatory Officer Natalie Dyenson said. “Food safety is central to the success of our entire industry, and Fraser and Lewis both bring expertise, experience and passion to the important work we do providing support and advocacy for our industry.”
Fraser has over 30 years of experience in food safety. Her journey in food safety began as an environmental health specialist in Michigan, where she developed a deep appreciation for high-quality, theoretically sound educational interventions, the release said. She earned a doctorate in food science at Michigan State University in 1995. Following her doctorate, Fraser served as a food safety extension specialist at North Carolina State University before joining Clemson University in 2008.
“I am thrilled to join this outstanding team as the new vice president of food safety and quality,” Fraser said. “It is an honor to lead our educational programs and technical outreach initiatives. I look forward to collaborating closely with industry leaders and academic partners to advance our shared mission of ensuring food safety and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Together, we will strive to set new standards of excellence and innovation in the field.”
Lewis joins the association with nearly 20 years of experience in regulatory affairs and policy development in both the public and private sectors, the release said. Most recently, Lewis served as the director of policy and advocacy for seeds and traits at Bayer Crop Science. Prior to that, he held leadership positions at the USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health.
Lewis earned a doctorate in environmental science and policy from George Mason University, a master’s degree in public administration from George Washington University, a master’s degree in plant pathology from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s degree in plant science from the University of Rhode Island.
“I am honored to join IFPA and be part of the food safety team,” Lewis said. “The produce industry provides the most nutritious food in the world; it’s critical we can do so safely and affordably. I look forward to partnering with our members, regulatory agencies and food safety standards organizations around the world to ensure that food safety standards, policies and regulations that are developed for our industry are reasonable and scientifically valid.”
