This Thursday!
FDA Ground Rounds Looks at Shigatoxigenic E. Coli in California Coastal Agriculture
On July 9, from noon to 1 p.m. ET, hear Human Foods Program at FDA Research Microbiologist Julie Ann Kase, Ph.D., and Research Biologist Susan R. Leonard, Ph.D., in the next Ground Rounds webcast. They will present an analysis of Shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC) prevalence in surface waters, sediment, soil, air, and animal feces sampled across the Central Coastal agricultural growing region of California, sometimes referred to as America’s salad bowl.
For details, including the link, available CME credit, and more about the topic and speakers, click here.
Register for Online Food Traceability Rule Training July 23-24
The compliance date for FDA’s Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) is July 20, 2028. If you are responsible for food safety, quality, compliance, traceability, distribution, retail food operation, or regulatory oversight, consider taking FSPCA’s Food Traceability Rule (FTR) Training for the Food Industry. CASA’s two-day training July 23-24 goes from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET each day.
For more details and to register, click here.
Recalled Cheese Products Include Associated Brand Names
On June 24, 2026, a second environmental sample from Clover Hill Dairy, LLC, collected by Maryland state partners, tested positive for the L. monocytogenes outbreak strain identified in June 15 testing of six of the company’s requeson (similar to ricotta) cheese samples. On June 18, Clover Hill recalled all cheese products manufactured at its firm (Kesso, Quesos la Ricura, Izalco, etc.) With 12 cases of illness, including 10 hospitalizations, in Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Virginia, FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Read the full update from June 29, 2026, here.
FDA Releases 2026 Human Foods Program Guidance Agenda
On June 29, 2026, the FDA’s Human Foods Program (HFP) released its updated 2026 guidance agenda. It includes possible new topics for guidance documents or revisions to existing documents being considered by HFP. The 2026 priority topics for the agency include caffeine content labeling, use of the “healthy” claim, and guidance for industry on use of food product categories.
Read the entire update here.
Investigation of Infant Botulism Outbreak From Powdered Infant Formula Continues
FDA’s investigation of a multistate outbreak of four confirmed infant botulism illnesses in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington is ongoing. The California Department of Public Health reported four infants with confirmed infant botulism (with illness onset between April and May 2026) who all consumed Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula.
There is a recall of Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula, which is manufactured in Europe. Read the full update here.
FoodSHIELD IFSS 2026-2027 Proposal Submissions Accepted Until July 14
AFDO and FoodSHIELD IT developers are seeking high-impact proposals for new projects and enhancements that strengthen the FoodSHIELD collaborative platform. Submissions are now open and will be accepted through July 14.After review later this summer, projects chosen to advance IFSS priorities, influence platform improvements, and support public health impact will kick off in September 2026.
Submit proposals here.
AFDO.org Pro Tips
2026 AFDO AEC Data & AI in Food Safety Workshop Recordings
n this regularly updated eNews section, AFDO staffers will share their pro tips on how to get the most from AFDO. Research Director Carrie Rigdon and Deputy Director for SAFHER Jennifer Pierquet talk about the Data & AI in Food Safety Workshop at the 2026 AFDO Annual Educational Conference, which is now available on AFDO’s YouTube channel.
“What made this workshop special was the mix of perspectives in the room. Regulators, industry, academics, and technology leaders came together to talk candidly about what’s working, what’s challenging, and what it really takes to use data and AI in food safety. The conversation stayed focused on solving real problems and improving outcomes, which made the experience both practical and insightful.”
Pro Tip: Recordings of the presentations and case studies from the June 5, 2026, workshop are available as part of the 2026 AFDO AEC YouTube playlist. To watch them, click on each individual session or search for Data & AI in Food Safety Workshop on the AFDO YouTube channel’s main page.
ICYMI: Worth Another Look
New AFDO Board President Deacon Talks Training, Partnerships, and AI in New Video
In a new video, 2026-2027 AFDO Board of Directors President Brad Deacon shares his outlook on the year ahead, highlighting the need to strengthen training, expand partnerships, and support the evolving needs of the food regulatory community, including addressing emerging challenges like artificial intelligence.
Watch it here.
Monday, July 20
AFDO Produce Safety Committee and CEA Alliance Collab on Industry Panel
Managing food safety hazards and risks in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) production systems presents a relatively new set of challenges and opportunities for industry members. AFDO’s Produce Safety Committee and the CEA Alliance will host an online industry panel discussion July 20, noon to 1 p.m. ET, to respond to regulator questions that remain regarding the science, production, and post-harvest handling practices — along with regulatory and audit interpretation for these unique systems.
Register here.
AFDO Director at Large Vacancy
The 2026-2027 Director at Large position on the AFDO Board of Directors is open. If you would like to nominate a candidate, please contact Krystal Reed at kreed@afdo.org. The AFDO Board of Directors will review nominations and appoint this position, by majority vote, for one year.
Attend FDA Food Protection Seminar in Philadelphia This September
Join stakeholders from state, local, territorial, and tribal regulatory agencies, industry, federal partners, and academia to focus on current and emerging issues in retail food protection at the annual FDA Food Protection Seminar. Hear critical updates on the Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards, Food Code revisions, and FDA initiatives in a collaborative forum.
Attendance is required at the event for all FDA standardized Retail Food Safety Inspection Officers.
Learn more about the three-day seminar (September 16-18) in Philadelphia and register here.
Walk Through FoodSHIELD’s New Interface With Free, Live Training
Make the most of FoodSHIELD’s updated new look and features with live training, recordings, and step-by-step guides beginning June 6 and running through November 6, 2026. Half-hour sessions starting at 2 p.m. ET every Tuesday and Friday help users discover ways to make the most of the new interface by covering arrival, connection, collaboration, learning, administration, and mastery.
To participate, visit the FoodSHIELD v2026 workgroup and submit a request to join.
Regional Affiliate News
Join NEFDOA in Massachusetts for Its Annual Conference This October
Registration is now open for the Northeast Food and Drug Officials Association Annual Conference in historic Northampton, Massachusetts, October 22-23, 2026. Find registration, hotel, and agenda Information at nefdoa.org/events. You can renew NEFDOA membership during the registration process, and interested exhibitors or sponsors can find additional details.
AFDOSS AEC Registration Open
Association of Food and Drug Officials of the Southern States (AFDOSS) is hosting this year’s AEC back in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, August 23-26. Register here. If you’re interested in sponsoring the conference or donating items for raffles, gift bags, etc., contact AFDOSS Treasurer Craig Nielsen at afdoss.craig@gmail.com.
2026 Mega AEC Has Mega Opportunities
The Colorado Environmental Health Association, in partnership with the Western Association of Food and Drug Officials and the Rocky Mountain Food Safety Conference, hosts the Mega Annual Education Conference, September 21-24, 2026, in Lakewood, Colorado, at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel.
“Better Together” is the theme for this year’s meeting, training, education, and networking with environmental health professionals from across Colorado and the western United States.
To read more about the conference, register, or submit an abstract, click here.
