AgTechX Food Safety Summit Next Week Provides Update on Food Safety Technologies

April 13th, 2021

Register for “AgTechX Food Safety,” a summit where top industry leaders will delve into technological solutions in the prevention and rapid diagnostics arena. AgTechX will be presented virtually, free of charge, next Thursday (April 22).

Dr. Rodrigo Nieto Gomez, a geostrategist and defense futurist focused on the consequences of the accelerating pace of change in homeland security and policing environments, will headline the event with a keynote on the accelerating innovation and changing policy dynamics.

He will be followed by three panels that discuss how innovation should consider regulation in the product development cycle; the role of research; and what Western Growers Science, Technology & Innovation leadership believes to be important to its members.

EVENT DETAILS

AgTechX Food Safety – A Year of Food Safety Acceleration for Rapid Diagnostics and Prevention Technologies

DATE: Thursday, April 22, 2021

TIME: 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT

AGENDA:

  • 9:30 a.m. –  Keynote Address: Accelerating Innovation and Changing Policy Dynamics
    • Speaker: Dr. Rodrigo Nieto, Research Professor at the National Security Affairs Department as well as at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School
  • 10 a.m. –  Session: Innovation from a Regulatory Perspective
    • Speaker: Tom Sidebottom, Research Scientist and Consultant (who previously worked at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for more than 30 years)
  • 10:30 a.m. –  Panel: The Role of Research
    • Speakers:
      • Paul Brierley, Executive Director at the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture
      • Bonnie Fernandez, Executive Director at the Center for Produce Safety
  • 11:00 a.m. – Panel: Food Safety Trends and the role of Western Growers Science & Innovation
    • Speakers:
      • Walt Duflock, Vice President of Innovation at Western Growers
      • De Ann Davis, Senior Vice President of Science at Western Growers

RSVP: Register at https://pages.agtechxfs.com/yuma

For more information, please contact Dennis Donohue, Director of Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, at [email protected].

Western Growers Welcomes Afreen Malik as Science Programs Director

April 5th, 2021

IRVINE, Calif. (April 5, 2021) – Western Growers is pleased to announce the addition of Afreen Malik as Science Programs Director.

Afreen brings over two decades of experience in the management of food safety, quality assurance and sustainability programs at top food and agriculture companies. In her new role, Afreen will be responsible for designing, developing and deploying programs in support of key WG Science initiatives in food safety, environmental compliance and data science.

“The addition of Afreen strengthens our capabilities to deliver member-centric technical programs aimed at addressing the most critical needs in food safety and environmental performance,” said De Ann Davis, Senior Vice President, Science.

Prior to joining Western Growers on April 1, 2021, Afreen served as Director of Technical Services at International Food Safety and Quality Services, a consulting firm that helps companies produce safe foods. Before consulting, Afreen spent 20 years in technical services and quality assurance roles at Ocean Mist Farms, Sunrise Growers and Calavo Growers. Afreen also served as a biological assistant for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Afreen has a Master of Science in Coastal and Watershed Science and Policy from California State University, Monterey Bay, and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Her industry certifications include Preventive Controls for Human Food Lead Instructor; Produce Safety Rule Lead Instructor; Advanced HACCP; Recall Readiness/Crisis Management; Sanitation and Sanitary Practices; and SQF Practitioner. Malik is also fluent in English, Urdu, Hindi and Spanish.

Western Growers’ Science division leads the association’s engagement in several issue areas, including food safety, crop protection, sustainability and industry data initiatives.

Click here to download Afreen Malik’s headshot.

About Western Growers:
Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Our members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including nearly half of America’s fresh organic produce. Some members also farm throughout the U.S. and in other countries so people have year-round access to nutritious food. For generations, we have provided variety and healthy choices to consumers. Connect with and learn more about Western Growers on our Twitter and Facebook.

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