WASHINGTON, DC - The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced two recent additions that will complete the Food Safety team at the organization. Dr. Angela Fraser has joined the association as the new Vice President of Food Safety & Quality, and Dr. Paul Lewis is now the Vice President of Food Safety Standards and Regulatory Compliance.

Dr. 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 our members and the industry at large.

Dr. Lewis brings many years of policy and advocacy experience to his role at IFPA where he will work closely with the Government Relations team to provide leadership for IFPA’s scientific and policy objectives related to food safety standards and regulatory compliance.

“I’m thrilled to have Dr. Fraser and Dr. Lewis complete our team,” said Chief Food Safety and Regulatory Officer, Natalie Dyenson. “Food safety is central to the success of our entire industry, and Dr. Fraser and Dr. Lewis both bring expertise, experience and passion to the important work we do providing support and advocacy for our industry.”

Dr. Fraser brings over 30 years of experience in food safety to the IFPA team. 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. This passion led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Food Science at Michigan State University, which she completed in 1995. Following her doctorate, Dr. 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 VP of Food Safety of Food Safety & Quality,” said Fraser. “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."

As a press release outlined, Dr. Lewis joins the association with nearly 20 years of experience in regulatory affairs and policy development in both the public and private sectors. Most recently, Dr Lewis served as the director of policy and advocacy for seeds and traits at Bayer Crop Science and before that, he held a number of leadership positions at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Lewis earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University, a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University, a Master of Science in Plant Pathology from Oklahoma State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science from the University of Rhode Island.

“I am honored to join IFPA and be a part of the food safety team,” said Lewis. “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.”

We welcome Dr. Fraser and Dr. Lewis to the wonderful world of produce!