IRVINE, CALIF. (Aug. 23, 2023) – Following the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announcement of Jim Jones as the first Deputy Commissioner for the unified Human Foods Program, Western Growers SVP of Science, De Ann Davis, issued the following statement:

“Western Growers is pleased to learn that Jim Jones has been appointed as the first Deputy Commissioner for the Human Foods Program by the Food and Drug Administration.

Jim has a proven record of government leadership, as evidenced by his work on the critical Reagan-Udall Foundation Expert panel resulting in the December 2022 report on Operational Evaluation of the FDA’s Human Foods Program.

In 2011, with the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the intent of the U.S. Congress was clear: The FDA is to prioritize preventative actions over reaction. We look forward to engaging with Jim as we collaborate on the critical need for the agency to deliver on its promises to aid consumers by setting a prevention agenda.”

The FDA announcement can be read here.