Manan Sharma Assumes Presidency of the International Association for Food Protection

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Des Moines, Iowa– Dr. Manan Sharma assumed the presidency of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) at the conclusion of the Association’s Annual Meeting, IAFP 2026.

Dr. Sharma is Senior Director for Produce and Food Safety at The Acheson Group (TAG), where he applies his agricultural research background to provide technical, science-based food safety solutions to clients. Prior to joining TAG, he spent 21 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory as Lead Scientist and Research Microbiologist. He has authored or co-authored nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications and nine book chapters.

Throughout his research career, Dr. Sharma has focused extensively on pre-harvest produce safety, including factors affecting the survival of enteric bacterial pathogens in soils, manure, compost, irrigation water, and fruits and vegetable commodities. His work has included collaborations with other federal agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency, as well as participation in the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) Environmental Working Group. He also helped lead several collaborative research projects examining irrigation water and produce safety with university partners.

Dr. Sharma is an active and committed IAFP Member. Since joining as a Student Member in 2000, he has served the Association in numerous leadership and volunteer roles. His service has included the Journal of Food Protection Editorial Board and Management Committee; IAFP Annual Meeting Program Committee; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council; Food Protection Trends Editorial Board; Nominating Committee; Foundation Committee, Tellers Committee, and Awards Committee. He also served as Chair of the Student Professional Development Group and has mentored students and young scientists through IAFP mentoring programs and during his time at USDA ARS.

Dr. Sharma has also been deeply involved with IAFP Affiliates, serving as both Vice President and President of the Capital Area Food Protection Association — the Washington, D.C.-area Affiliate of IAFP — and was founding member of the Indian Association for Food Protection in North America.

His contributions to food safety research and service to the Association have been recognized with several IAFP honors, including the Larry Beuchat Young Researcher Award in 2011, Maurice Weber Laboratorian Award in 2018, and Fellow Award in 2022.

Dr. Sharma holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida, and Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Food Science and Technology from the University of Georgia.

In addition to Dr. Sharma, other members of the Executive Board include:

• President-Elect, Pam Wilger, Post Consumer Brands, Shakopee, Minnesota
• Vice President, Wendy White, Georgia Institute of Technology, Greensboro, Georgia
• Secretary, Maria Hoffmann, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Washington, D.C.
• Past President, Manpreet Singh, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
  Affiliate Council Chair, Takiyah Ball, Sargento Foods Inc., Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin