AFDO AEC Focuses on Innovation, Best Practices, Networking, and More
Nearly 400 people attended this year’s AFDO Annual Educational Conference June 5-9, 2029, in Columbus, Ohio. Representatives from 35 states along with 70 industry professionals took part in workshops, general informational sessions, and track offerings for food, retail, and produce. Sprinkled throughout were networking and award events.
Friday’s pre-conference workshop, Data & AI in Food Safety, featured speakers such as Cameron Garrison, HS GovTech; Jorge A. Hernandez, The Wendy’s Company; Andrew Kennedy, iFoodDS; Barbara Kowalcyk, George Washington University; Patrick Quade, Iwaspoisoned.com and Dinesafe.com; Brendan Ring, Creme Global; Christine Schindler, PathSpot Technologies; and Richard Todd, City of Boulder. The workshop included expert presentations, case studies, and interactive sessions designed to provide practical insights and actionable strategies for industry and regulatory professionals.
On Sunday, more than 140 first-time attendees checked in for the AEC, resulting in an interactive first-time attendee and mentor event.
Sunday’s Opening Session included the release of AFDO’s 2025-2026 Annual Report (watch it here) and an address by outgoing AFDO Board of Directors President Kim Stryker. The evening was capped off with the Glenn W. Kilpatrick Memorial Conversation moderated by AFDO Executive Director Steven Mandernach looking back at the last 15 years since the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Speakers included De Ann Davis, Western Growers; Joe Reardon, NASDA; Brian Ronholm, Consumer Reports; Kelly Stevens, General Mills; and Roberta F. Wagner, International Dairy Foods Association.
AFDO also announced the launch of Wiley, a large language model chatbot trained only on AFDO’s resources, webinars, directories, and more that can help users get to the information they need faster. The wise owl, who serves as the inspiration for Wiley’s logo, even made an appearance. Go to afdo.org/askwiley to try it out.
Sunday’s general session included highly anticipated sessions on decision making, food safety culture, and a conversation with the CEO of Kwik Trip on how executive leadership can shape food safety.
Sunday afternoon included sessions offering a look at new food safety technologies, while Monday morning kicked off with a session from AFDO AEC favorite Jason Evans, Johnson & Wales University, on new insights on the Gen Z workforce and how the rise of Generation Alpha might impact all things food and food safety.
During Monday’s Wiley Awards Luncheon, FDA’s Ellen Buchanan was honored with the Harvey W. Wiley Award, AFDO’s most prestigious award, which is presented to a regular or honorary member for exceptional service to the state or nation in the performance of duties.
From the Saturday opening session to the closing events on Tuesday, the conference had something for everyone.
Nara Organics Recalls Its Infant Formula After Multistate Botulism Outbreak
FDA is in the early stages of investigating a multistate outbreak of three confirmed or suspected infant botulism illnesses in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. The California Department of Public Health reported three toxin type A infections among infants consuming Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula with illness onset between April and May 2026. Testing results are expected in the coming weeks.
On June 13, 2026, Nara Organics agreed to recall all of its Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula, which is manufactured in Europe.
Read the full update here.
AFDO Remembers Laurel “Laurie” Corby
AFDO is saddened to share that Laurel “Laurie” Corby, wife of former AFDO Executive Director Joseph Corby, died peacefully on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, New York, with her family by her side after a long illness.
Laurie was a friend to many in the AFDO community. In sharing the news, Joe described Laurie as his partner, best friend, and the love of his life for more than 50 years. Laurie attended many AFDO conferences. Recently, many AFDO videos included humorous comments about Laurie’s desire to keep Joe on the road, which was far from accurate.
AFDO extends its heartfelt condolences to Joe and the entire Corby family during this difficult time. When obituary or memorial information becomes available, AFDO will share those details with the community.
Updated Laboratory Best Practices Manual Now Available
The Partnership for Food Protection Laboratory Science Workgroup has released the updated (October 2025) edition of the Human & Animal Food Testing Laboratories Best Practices Manual, which provides practical guidance for regulatory laboratories on accreditation, proficiency testing, sampling, analytical methods, documentation, and reporting. This edition also includes updated references, expanded guidance on communication among food safety partners, and revised analytical worksheet best practices.
You can access the revised manual here.
Welcome Lowin and Zearing to the AFDO Team
AFDO would like to introduce two new members of our staff. Nikki Lowin, Instructional Designer, worked for 20-plus years in a community college setting and at the Department of War, where she taught adult learners, developed curriculum, designed instruction, administered LMS platforms, and created training materials.
Michaela Zehring, Special Projects Assistant, joins AFDO from Foot Locker’s Supply Chain division, where she supported senior leadership and assisted with project coordination, event planning, employee engagement initiatives, and administrative operations.
Welcome, Nikki and Michaela!
FoodSHIELD IFSS 2026-2027 Proposal Submissions Are Being Accepted
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 10.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.
PulseNet USA Turns 30 This Year
Since 1996, the public health professionals at CDC’s PulseNet USA have played a crucial role in protecting public health by rapidly identifying and responding to foodborne outbreaks. The work performed by these professionals protects America’s food supply every day.
Learn more here.
Finalized 2025 Resource Survey Summary Report Posted on AFDO Website
AFDO’s 2025 State Food Program Resource Survey is now live. The survey represents a quantitative view of the food safety efforts performed by state and local regulatory agencies during a 12-month period. The survey helps AFDO in its representation of state food safety programs during testimony in the nation’s capitol, while assessing proposed legislation for federal food safety, and providing information to federal legislators and their staff members who are actively pursuing this legislation. Dig into all the data collected from state manufactured food, retail food, grade-A milk, shellfish, meat and poultry, produce, and laboratory programs across the country here.
FDA Releases Report on Traceability Readiness Tabletop Exercises
On June 10, 2026, FDA released its report on a series of traceability readiness tabletop exercises held with industry between March 9 and April 1, 2026. The exercises, which were designed to help the food industry prepare to comply with the Food Traceability Rule (FTR), demonstrated that meaningful progress is being made toward meeting the FTR requirements, according to FDA.
Read the full update here.
AFDO.org Pro Tips
AFDO’s AI Chatbot Wiley
In this regularly updated eNews section, AFDO staffers will share their pro tips on how to get the most from afdo.org. Director of Communications Jason Brill offers pro tips on how to use AFDO’s new AI chatbot, Wiley.
“AFDO added the Wiley chatbot to afdo.org to make it easier for users to find answers quickly, especially while in the field where they might only have access to a phone or tablet. It’s there to support the work public health professionals do by finding training, guidance, or contact info for public officials, subject matter experts, and more. It can be an everyday tool that saves time and helps afdo.org users get what they need faster.”
Pro Tip: Beyond finding subject matter experts, public officials, or guidance documents, Wiley can help you craft emails or checklists, draft SOPs, devise training plans for new hires, summarize an AFDO webinar, create an action plan, and more. Check out Brill’s recent appearance on the HS GovTech USA Beyond Data Management podcast with Cameron Garrison for a demo and more.
ICYMI: Worth Another Look
AFDO Federal Agency Update Webinar
Ahead of this year’s Annual Educational Conference, AFDO Executive Director Steven Mandernach hosted a webinar Monday, June 1, to provide updates from federal partners.
Speakers included Donald Prater, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Human Foods Program, FDA; Dr. Elizabeth Miller, Pharm.D., Associate Commissioner for Inspections and Investigations (ACII) in the FDA Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII); Mindy Brashears, Undersecretary for Food Safety, USDA; Gwen Biggerstaff, Deputy Director, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, CDC National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; and Erik Mettler, MPA, MPH, Assistant Commissioner for Integrated Food Safety Systems, FDA.
You can view the recording here.
Fresh Take Fridays Webinar Looked at Implementing AI in Food Safety Responsibly
The webinar explored how public agencies are using AI-enabled communication tools to support inspections, emergency response, outreach, and customer service without losing the human trust that government programs depend on. CivicReach shared real-world use cases, lessons from state and local partners, and practical considerations for agencies thinking about innovation, readiness, policy, and responsible implementation.
Watch the recording here. Watch past Fresh Take Fridays webinars from AFDO here.
New FDA Compliance Program Modernizes Pesticide Monitoring in Human Foods
On May 28, 2026, the FDA announced updates to modernize and strengthen its pesticide residue monitoring in approximately 3,500 domestic and imported human foods samples. This new compliance uses enhanced procedures, strengthens collaboration with regulatory partners, and prioritizes foods highly consumed by infants and children, according to FDA.
Read the full update 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 Set for Gatlinburg August 23-26, 2026
Association of Food and Drug Officials of the Southern States (AFDOSS) is hosting this year’s AEC back in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, August 23-26. Stay tuned to afdoss.org for more registration and hotel block info. 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.
