Food safety, quality assurance and sustainability expert joins Western Growers

Western Growers has added Afreen Malik as science programs director.

Malik 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, Malik 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,”  De Ann Davis, senior vice president, science, said in a news release.

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, Malik spent 20 years in technical services and quality assurance roles at Ocean Mist Farms, Sunrise Growers and Calavo Growers. Malik also served as a biological assistant for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Malik 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; SQF Practitioner; and PGFS Auditor Training. Malik is also fluent in English, Urdu, Hindu 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.