Consent Decree Entered Against Minnesota Distributor for Insanitary Conditions
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation resulted in a federal court order, dated September 21, 2026, stopping a warehouse operator from distributing FDA-regulated products including food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics until it fixes its operations to meet federal legal requirements.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Gold Star Distribution, Inc., a Minnesota-based multi-commodity warehouse operator, and its owner, Bassam Abu Samrah, after the FDA observed persistent insanitary conditions, including severe rodent and pest infestations, that put products at risk of potential contamination with filth.
Read the entire bulletin here.
AFDO Committees Hosted Cyclospora Discussion Last Week
The AFDO Laboratory, Science, and Technology and the International & Government Relations committees hosted a virtual panel discussion exploring current challenges and emerging opportunities in Cyclospora detection.
Speakers included:
- Dr. Grace Kubin, Deputy Commissioner and Laboratory Director, Public Health Laboratory Division, Texas Department of State Health Services
- Kevin Gerrity, National Expert-Foods, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Inspections and Investigations, Division of Produce Safety
- Dr. Kali Kniel, Unidel S. Hallock du Pont Chair of Microbial Food Safety, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware
Meaningful Metrics for Regulators Course Recording Available
AFDO’s recent webinar on creating meaningful metrics for food safety programs is now available on demand. Learn practical approaches for moving beyond counting activities to measuring results that align with program goals, support continuous improvement, and demonstrate public health impact.
64th Annual Yankee Conference on Environmental Health Includes AFDO Presentations
The Connecticut Environmental Health Association had its 64th Annual Yankee Conference on Environmental Health September 23-25, 2026, in Mystic, Connecticut. The agenda featured presentations by two AFDO staff members.
Sally Flowers, Scientific Affairs Director, reviewed the seven principles of HACCP, introduced AFDO’s Retail HACCP Plan Review Service, and explained the basics of meat curing. Deanna Copeland, Retail Food Safety Director, introduced the Risk-Based Inspection Maturity Model, a flexible self-assessment tool that helps retail food regulatory programs strengthen their focus on reducing foodborne illness risk factors. Approximately 200 conference registrants heard up-to-date information on topics supporting the theme, “Sustainable Science for Environmental Health.”
FDA Investigating Multiple Outbreaks in Sprouts and Raw Cheese
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Broccoli Sprouts
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans infections linked to recalled broccoli sprouts grown by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC, of Moyie Springs, Idaho. This outbreak is being investigated separately from the shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts.
Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC and state partners, a total of 32 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from six states.
Read the full update here.
Outbreak Investigation of E. Coli O26:H11 in Raw Milk Cheese
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O26:H11 infections linked to Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese. FDA’s investigation is ongoing as of September 25, 2026.
State and local public health officials are interviewing ill people or their caregivers about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the nine people interviewed, all nine (100%) in this outbreak reported consuming Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese.
There are 13 illnesses total and eight hospitalizations.
Read the full update here.
Outbreak Investigation of Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli & Salmonella in Sprouts
On September 23, 2026, Berlin Seeds, of Millersburg, Ohio, recalled Alfalfa Sprouting Seeds after notification from their seed supplier that the seed is potentially contaminated with STEC and/or Salmonella. The recalled seeds were packed under the Berlin Seeds label in 1/4-pound, 1/2-pound, 1-pound, 5-pound, and 50-pound sizes.
In August 2026, Everything Sprouts, LLC, recalled Calco and Everything Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts, Everything Sprouts Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix, Zesty Garlic Mix cups, and certain lots of Robust Radish Sprout Mix.
There have been 55 Illnesses and four hospitalizations.
Read the full update here.
Self-Paced Online Game Food Detective Now Available From OTED
AFDO led the design and development of the Food Detective Game, a scenario-based online game created under a cooperative agreement with FDA’s Office of Training, Education, and Development (OTED). AFDO created the overall gameplay experience, organized the learning around a detective storyline in a simulated kitchen walkthrough, developed interactive challenges, and more.
In the game, you step into the shoes of a food safety inspector. Your mission is to conduct a risk-based inspection walkthrough that goes beyond a simple checklist to critically assess a restaurant’s food safety management system. Along the way, you’ll learn to identify potential hazards, evaluate the strength of the restaurant’s Active Managerial Control, and make crucial decisions to protect public health. The experience builds the practical knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to identify and mitigate the most significant foodborne illness risk factors.
For more information, including registration and prerequisites, click here.
AFDO.org Pro Tips
AFDO Directory of State and Local Officials and Retail Food Regulatory Program Directory
In this regularly updated eNews section, AFDO staffers will share their pro tips on how to get the most from afdo.org. Program Director Patrick Kennelly offers a pro tip on using AFDO’s Directory of State and Local Officials and Retail Food Regulatory Program Directory.
“Finding the right program contact at a state or local agency can be time-consuming. AFDO helps streamline that process through the Directory of State and Local Officials (DSLO) and the Retail Food Regulatory Program Directory, which connect users with key regulatory contacts across the country.”
Pro Tip: Once you find the contact you need, click the blue “Download vCard” button on their profile to instantly save their information to your contact list.
ICYMI: Worth Another Look
FDA Publishes 2026 Food Code and Report on Food Safety Risk Factors in Retail Delis
The FDA issued the 2026 edition of the FDA Food Code this week. It gives guidance to state and local authorities and retailers to help mitigate foodborne illness risks at retail and includes a uniform set of national standards for retail food safety.
FDA said the 2026 Food Code includes an exception allowing double-gloving under specific circumstances; a new requirement for written employee illness policies that are maintained and available; and the establishment of an alternative cooling process for foods at retail.
The Food Code also addresses a range of food safety topics including sanitizer temperatures, consumer advisories, a revised food establishment definition, and much more. The full Summary of Changes can be found here: Summary of Changes in the 2026 FDA Food Code.
Find the 2026 Food Code here.
The FDA also released its report on the Occurrence of Foodborne Illness Risk Factors in Retail Food Store Delis this week. Summarizing the agency’s findings from the 2019-2022 data collection, the report studies trends in foodborne illness risk factors, food safety behaviors, and practices in food service facilities. The delis used in the study were randomly selected from U.S. locations; a complete list of findings is available in the report. Read the full update here.
Kava and Kratom Safety Fresh Take Fridays Recording Available
AFDO’s free Fresh Take Fridays series is back this fall. Last week’s webinar, Everything is Edible at Least Once, Right?, is now available on YouTube. In the session, Natashia Swalve, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Grand Valley State University, examined the safety and effects of kava and other so-called natural remedies in the wake of the Diamond Shroomz recalls and the 7-OH ban. Watch the webinar here.
Register below for future sessions.
Is Food Safety One-Size-Fits-All? A Comparison of Small vs. Large Brands
Friday, October 2
In this webinar, AFDO Retail Food Safety Director Deanna Copeland and Research Director Carrie Rigdon will compare food safety policies, practices, and culture across retail operations of different sizes using data from national surveys. Register here.
New World Screwworm: What Food Safety Professionals Need to Know
Friday, November 6
This Fresh Take Fridays webinar will provide an overview of the New World screwworm, including how the parasite affects animals, the current situation in North America, ongoing prevention and response efforts, and what regulators and food industry professionals need to know. Registerhere.
Beyond the Label: What Food Safety Professionals Need to Know About Kosher and Halal Foods
Friday, December 4
Learn what makes food kosher or halal, discuss key production and certification considerations, and explore strategies for building effective working relationships between food safety professionals and kosher and halal operations. Register here.
All one-hour sessions start at noon ET, so grab your lunch and listen in. You can also catch past Fresh Take Fridays webinars here.
FDA Hosted Retail Food Protection Seminar in Philadelphia Last Week
Last week’s annual FDA Food Protection Seminar training event brought together more than 200 stakeholders from state, local, territorial, and tribal regulatory agencies; industry representatives; federal partners; and academia to focus on current and emerging issues in retail food protection.
Sessions included topics such as the risks associated with cooling hot foods, FDA Food Code updates and adoption, a fireside chat with Acting Director of Human Foods Don Prater, and more. AFDO Executive Director Steven Mandernach led a session on Root Cause Analysis.
The meeting was co-hosted by the New Jersey Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and AFDO. Review the meeting’s agenda here.
USDA Launches Initiative to Bring More States Into Meat Inspection
On September 16, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Stand-Up Program, which will provide up to $50 million in new funding to help states start or expand their own meat inspection programs in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The program is intended to carry out the September 4 Executive Order to expand market access for American meat producers and strengthen the domestic supply chain.
Read the update here.
Shawna Johnson Named WAFDO Rep to AFDO Board
Shawna Johnson, MPH, has been named the Western Association of Food and Drug Officials (WAFDO) representative to the AFDO Board of Directors. Johnson is the Consumer Protection Coordinator at Boulder County Public Health in Colorado and currently serves as WAFDO President. With more than 15 years in food safety and a background in veterinary medicine, she leads initiatives focused on regulatory innovation, workforce development, and inspection modernization.
FDA, ISSC, NCIMS, and AFDO Offer Training Sub Awards to Milk and Shellfish Programs
The application period for Training Sub Awards to State and Territorial Milk and Shellfish Programs opens September 28. The awards are part of a partnership between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments, the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, and the Association of Food and Drug Officials. The funds support state and territorial (Puerto Rico) agencies with regulatory authority to implement the National Grade “A” Milk Safety Program and/or the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. The application window closes November 6, 2026.
Applicants can learn more details here.
Discover FoodSHIELD 2026 Training
The new self-paced FoodSHIELD Training Series is now available, allowing FDA, USDA, and state and local food safety and laboratory professionals to learn on their own schedule. Explore the redesigned FoodSHIELD portal to find:
- Short, feature-focused videos
- Step-by-step SOPs and quick reference guides
- Monthly live Q&A sessions with recordings available afterward
- No fixed schedule, no deadlines
Register here for an account, or enroll in the training series here.
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.
