FDA Names Donna Garren Director of Produce Safety

Donna Garren, Ph.D., has joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as director of the Office of Produce Safety within the Human Foods Program’s Office of Microbiological Food Safety, effective June 29.

Garren most recently served as executive vice president of the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), where she led the organization’s regulatory and legislative affairs programs. She previously held leadership positions at Boskovich Farms, the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, the National Restaurant Association, the Consumer Goods Forum and NSF International. 

Conrad Choiniere, director of the Office of Microbiological Food Safety, announced Garren’s appointment on LinkedIn.

“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 in the post. “She is a proven consensus builder, well-positioned to support FDA's transparency and public engagement goals while driving results through partnership.”