AFDO Resources for Investigating Widespread Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
Cyclospora outbreaks have hit 31 states so far in high counts of cyclosporiasis cases, numbers that are expected to grow since incubation can take up to two weeks. AFDO has resources for those working on investigations:
- Investigating Fresh Produce Cyclospora Outbreaks guidance document
- AFDO Cyclospora webinar recording
The CDC says it is continuing to collect, analyze, and provide data about the source, or sources, of the recent infections. The single-cell parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis is reported to thrive in warm, humid weather.
Wednesday, July 15
Deadline Is Extended for 40 Under 40
The Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness has extended the nomination deadline for the 40 Food Safety Professionals Under 40 Class of 2026. Applicants now have until Wednesday, July 15, 2026, to recognize an emerging food safety professional making a meaningful impact. Honorees shape stronger food safety systems and cultures globally.
Learn more and apply here.
Welcome Muir to the AFDO Team
AFDO would like to introduce Sandra Muir, Instructional Designer. She brings more than 25 years of experience in eLearning development and instructional design, including building training for global audiences in a fast-paced corporate environment. She designs with the learner in mind, and is excited to apply that mindset to AFDO and its mission.
Welcome Sandra!
Connect With AFDO at IAFP’s 2026 Annual Meeting in New Orleans
Among the presentations, workshops, and events at IAFP 2026, July 26-29, in New Orleans, is a roundtable led by AFDO Executive Director Steven Mandernach called “FSMA at 15: Promise, Progress, and Priorities for the Future” on July 27 from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. CT. Explore whether FSMA has delivered on its promise to impact food safety and the work still ahead.
Attendees can also stop by AFDO’s booth, 501, to say hello and learn how AFDO can help with training, resources, and other solutions. Learn more about the meeting and register here.
Next Webinar in Cannabis Series Looks at Potential Outcomes When Rules Finalize
On Friday, July 24, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. ET, listen in to the next part of the ongoing AFDO Cannabis, Hemp, and Natural Psychedelics Committee webinar series. Experts acknowledge that the cannabis policy rules being finalized over the next few months will determine who gets to participate in the legal market – and who gets locked out.
Presenters will weigh in on the new federal hemp definition taking effect on November 12 this year, and the U.S. Patent Office’s upcoming decision on whether whole-plane cannabis extracts can be privately owned.
Find more information and register for the webinar here.
August 18-19
Join a Public Meeting on Listeria Monocytogenes Risk Prevention
Learn the best practices for managing risks posed by L. monocytogenes at the FDA’s public meeting August 18-19, 2026, in College Park, Maryland. Topics for presentations and listening sessions are the advances in control of the cause of foodborne disease, best practices, dose-response modeling, and more.
Days and Times:
Tuesday, 8/18, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, 8/19, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET
For more details and to learn how to register to attend either in person or virtually, click here.
FDA Sends Letter to Infant Formula Industry About Preventing Botulism
To underscore the critical importance of supplier oversight, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent a letter on July 13, 2026, to the infant formula industry and its supply chain partners. The letter highlighted multiple recent public health events that introduced risks through the supply chain; it also called for increased vigilance by industry to ensure the safety of ingredients and finished infant formula products.
Outbreaks of infant botulism associated with two separate brands of powdered infant formula (ByHeart, Inc., and Nara Organics, Inc.) have resulted in voluntary recalls and an ongoing FDA investigation into the shared ingredient suppliers. Read the entire update 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
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.
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.
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.
