The Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA is leading a stakeholder dialogue process to explore new strategies for produce safety and the development of a collaborative public-private partnership (PPP). Ensuring the safety of fruits and vegetables requires a holistic approach. To aid in the goal of improved protection of public health and establishing a PPP, the Foundation is collaborating with stakeholders from agricultural communities, industry, academia, and government to develop a shared understanding of the challenges and a vision for protecting public health. The Foundation has engaged a group of key stakeholders to guide the 6-month effort, and has engaged Food Safety Strategy’s Dr. Jennifer McEntire and Ms. Gretchen Wall to support the initiative.

Stakeholder Input

The Foundation solicited perspectives, interest, and volunteers via a short questionnaire.

We appreciate the nearly 200 individuals/organizations who responded from all sectors involved in produce safety. If you did not submit input through the questionnaire and would like to be involved, please email us at admin@reaganudall.org.

Based on the input and willingness of stakeholders to engage as indicated through the questionnaire and other outreach, the Foundation will be forming working groups to refine priorities and articulate positions of various key stakeholders and their constituents. This project is anticipated to culminate in a meeting in March 2025 to discuss a priority roadmap for produce safety. A report will be issued after the meeting to guide FDA and others in understanding perspectives on produce safety and a pathway to create the proposed partnership.

This project is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award of $100,712 in federal funds (100% of the project). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit FDA.gov.