Fresh Produce Industry Vows Collaborative Efforts with FDA for Preventive Policies and Transparent Labeling

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) announced on March 26, 2025, its congratulations to Dr. Marty Makary upon his confirmation as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In welcoming Dr. Makary to this pivotal role, the IFPA signals its commitment to working closely with the agency to strengthen food safety measures, promote clearer nutrition labeling, and ensure the wider availability of fresh fruits and vegetables to improve public health.

The organization views this collaboration as an opportunity to address the pressing questions of who benefits from these policy advancements, what changes are being pursued, why these efforts matter so profoundly, when effective implementation might take place, and how specific strategies can be executed to achieve the best outcomes for consumers, producers, and the broader healthcare system.

The IFPA intends to engage with Commissioner Makary and other FDA leaders to champion a spectrum of initiatives aimed at protecting consumers while enhancing product quality and transparency.

Central to these efforts is a recognition of the far-reaching impact that diet-related diseases exert on millions of Americans and the nation’s healthcare costs.

IFPA believes that a greater emphasis on fresh produce can be instrumental in preventing illness, fostering healthier habits, and alleviating the burdens of chronic conditions.

“With diet-related diseases driving healthcare costs and impacting millions of Americans, we must prioritize fresh fruits and vegetables as a solution. We are eager to work with Commissioner Makary and the FDA to ensure a prevention-focused approach to food safety, improve food labeling transparency, and the integration of fresh produce into healthcare and nutrition programs.”

Cathy Burns, IFPA CEO

Reflecting its role as an advocate for the produce industry, the IFPA has identified several focal points for working with the FDA on food safety.

One central area involves modernizing the agency’s inspection model.

The IFPA envisions a shift away from reliance on outdated Good Manufacturing Practices toward a framework in which hazard analyses and comprehensive food safety plans guide decision-making and resource allocation.

Another priority relates to integrating the FDA’s Human Foods Program with its existing inspection force.

In the IFPA’s view, merging these functions will reduce duplication of efforts and strengthen science-based oversight, enabling more efficient use of federal resources.

It is also important, in IFPA’s assessment, to enhance transparency in how the FDA’s food safety funding is deployed so that strategic investments can be made in areas with the greatest public health impact.

Alongside these reforms, the organization advocates for clear benchmarks to measure progress in the FDA’s ongoing reorganization, a step it regards as vital in ensuring accountability and driving meaningful improvement.

In addition to food safety, the IFPA’s agenda centers on policies that will broaden access to fresh fruits and vegetables across the nation.

Part of this includes adopting a “whole-of-government” strategy to boost consumption, with an emphasis on expanding Produce Prescriptions within healthcare settings.

The IFPA believes that bridging the gap between medical advice and actual patient habits can be achieved through measures like permitting fresh produce purchases under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs).

Strengthening food labeling standards represents another important goal, as the organization seeks to empower consumers with more transparent information.

In practice, this would mean mandating that products claiming to contain fruits and vegetables disclose the specific amount of each serving.

The IFPA also recommends requiring a “contains no fruits and vegetables” label on items that might present misleading imagery or language.

Front-of-package labeling improvements, in which nutritional details are displayed in an accessible and easily digestible manner, form an additional plank in IFPA’s broader strategy to guide shoppers toward healthier choices.

By pursuing these objectives, IFPA envisions a future in which people of all ages and backgrounds have more consistent opportunities to integrate fresh produce into daily meals.

The association sees Commissioner Makary’s appointment as an occasion for cooperative action that can move forward not only food safety and labeling but also measures that solidify fruits and vegetables as a pillar of preventive care.

While the organization’s primary focus remains promoting the best interests of growers, retailers, and consumers, the overarching mission is to partner with the FDA in making fresh, nutritious options more accessible.

Through an approach that values scientific rigor, fiscal transparency, and coordinated policy-making, IFPA aims to help ensure that the nation’s food system works more effectively for everyone involved.