IFPA food safety chief leaving to direct efforts at Boar’s Head

The leader of the International Fresh Produce Association’s food safety efforts is leaving the organization to become the new chief food safety officer at Boar’s Head.

Natalie Dyenson, whose 30-year industry career also included a role as vice president of food safety and quality at Dole Food Co., will begin her new position May 12, according to a news release.

Boar’s Head named former FDA food safety chief Frank Yiannis interim chief food safety officer last November after a deadly listeria outbreak.

“It’s been an honor to serve the produce industry at IFPA,” Dyenson said in the release. “I’m proud of the team we’ve assembled at IFPA and I’m confident they will continue to advance the industry’s knowledge and influence in the food safety space.

“I appreciate the opportunity to work in the produce industry and will take these relationships and the knowledge I’ve gained in my future roles.”

The IFPA will immediately begin a search for a successor for Dyenson, who joined the organization in May 2023.

“Natalie has contributed so much to IFPA and our global food safety community — notably her perspectives from within the industry which were used to help refine and streamline our food safety offerings, as well as strengthening our engagement with policy and regulatory bodies like Codex,” IFPA CEO Cathy Burns said.

“Her greatest legacy will be in the team she built who will continue the great work to strengthen the culture of food safety and advocacy work on behalf of the industry.”

A listeria outbreak tied to a Boar’s Head liverwurst plant in Jarrat, Virginia, killed 10 people and sickened 61 others between May and November 2024.