eNews Is Off Next Week
Next week, the AFDO AEC will be in full swing, and AFDO staffers look forward to seeing many of you there. eNews will be busy keeping you up-to-date through LinkedIn social media posts.
eNews will return on Tuesday, June 16.
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.
AFDO’s Mandernach Guests on Beyond Data Management Podcast
AFAhead of the 2026 AFDO Annual Educational Conference later this week, Executive Director Steven Mandernach sat down with HS GovTech USA Beyond Data Management podcast host Cameron Garrison to unpack the technological and legislative shifts hitting the environmental and food safety sectors.
Key takeaways from their discussion include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- FDA Bridge Project
- The Cost of Indecision
🎧 Listen here.
Registration Still Open for 2026 AFDO AEC
If you haven’t finalized plans to attend this year’s conference, you can still act now. Make new connections with peers and find out how they are managing common challenges when you meet during the 2026 AFDO Annual Educational Conference, June 5-9, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio.
✅ Check out the entire agenda here.
New for this year: Pre-conference activities kick off Friday, June 5, with the opening evening session on Saturday, June 6.
AFDO members get an additional discount for the annual conference. Not a current member? You can save $100 on registration by joining AFDO or renewing your membership now. It’s like getting the year-round benefit of an AFDO membership FREE. Learn more and join now by visiting here.
Visit the conference website here.
Share a Sample or Swag Item in the 2026 AFDO AEC Goody Bags
As preparations continue for the AFDO Annual Educational Conference in Columbus, organizations are invited to contribute items for attendee goody bags — a simple, visible way to support AFDO and the community it serves.These goody bags are a conference favorite — every contribution enhances the experience while supporting AFDO’s mission. Provide individually packaged food products or practical promotional items (e.g., cord catchers, notepads, hand sanitizer, lip balm). Each item puts your brand directly in the hands of regulators, industry leaders, and food and drug safety professionals from across the country.
To participate, contact Krystal Reed at kreed@afdo.org for quantities, shipping details, and timing. Deadline for receipt is late May.
Stakeholder Silent Auction at AEC Supports Scholarships
AFDO’s AEC team is once again hosting the Barbara Cassens Silent Auction and is inviting support through item donations. This popular event, held both in person and online, brings the stakeholder community together to support a meaningful cause while showcasing the creativity and generosity of AFDO members.
There are many possibilities for auction contributions, including:
- Unique items or experiences from a donor’s state, organization, or company (branded items are encouraged)
- Hobby‑related donations, such as handmade crafts, local delicacies, or art — often inspired by the beautiful jewelry Barbara Cassens contributes each year
- Special experiences, such as a stay at a vacation property or a behind‑the‑scenes tour of a company facility
To ensure items are included in the auction, contributors are asked to submit a photo and a brief description using the donation form as soon as possible. Please supply as much information as possible, even if your item is not finalized, to help present items effectively and attract bidders.
Proceeds from the Barbara Cassens Silent Auction directly benefit the AFDO Scholarship Fund, helping support the next generation of food safety professionals.
Last Week’s 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 release 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.
AFDO.org Pro Tips
New Training AFDO Offerings Brochure Available
In this regularly updated eNews section, AFDO staffers will share their pro tips on how to get the most from afdo.org. Produce Safety Director Brenda Morris offers a pro tips on how to download a handy guide to many of AFDO’s training experiences.
“Having a single, downloadable brochure that brings together AFDO’s training opportunities and experiences makes it much easier for leaders in regulatory and industry to quickly see the full range of what’s available and plan ahead with confidence. It’s a simple, convenient resource that supports better decision-making and ensures nothing valuable gets overlooked.”
Pro Tip: AFDO’s refreshed training page is great look at the experiences currently offered, but for a more comprehensive look at many of the courses AFDO offers, download the 2026-2027 training brochure. Click here to download or find the link any time by going to afdo.org/training.
ICYMI: Worth Another Look
FDA Publishes Final Guidance on Protein Studies for Infant Formula Manufacturers
On May 21, 2026, the FDA issued final guidance for infant formula manufacturers and laboratories conducting testing on infant formula. The guidance is intended to help those in industry, particularly those looking to introduce new infant formula to the United States by outlining how to conduct a protein efficiency ratio study.
Read the full update here. Donald Prater Named FDA Acting Deputy Commissioner for Food
FDA Principal Deputy Associate Commissioner Donald Prater was named Acting Deputy Commissioner for Food last week. He will temporarily lead the agency’s Human Foods Program, which was launched in October 2024.
With the resignation of Marty Makary as FDA Commissioner earlier this month, Deputy Commissioner of Human Foods Kyle Diamantas has been named the agency’s acting commissioner.
Read more here.
Food Traceability Rule Training Now Available from the FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in partnership with the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA), has launched a new training curriculum on the Food Traceability Rule (FTR). The course, titled “FSPCA FTR Training for the Food Industry,” is a core, industry-oriented training that gives participants the foundational knowledge for understanding and complying with the Food Traceability Rule.
Enroll now at the FSPCA website. You can find information for prospective Lead Instructor candidates here.
Partnership for Food Traceability Is Hosting FTR Readiness Webinar
On Tuesday, June 9, from 2 to 3 p.m. EDT, the Partnership for Food Traceability (PFT) will host a webinar to announce three pilot programs AFDO members can participate in. The programs (Traceability Lot Code Flexibility, Electronic Sortable Spreadsheet Sharing to FDA, and Industry Interoperability) will help your organization assess its level of readiness for the Food Traceability Rule, which goes into effect on July 20, 2028.
Learn more about PFT and register here.
This Thursday!
2026 Virtual Consumer Food Safety Education Conference Is June 4
Plug into a community of food safety, nutrition, and public health professionals on June 4, 2026. During this high‑impact day, you’ll stay ahead of emerging trends and strengthen the way you advance food safety.
Hear speakers from the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative, USDA, FDA, CDC leadership, Health Canada, and IFIC. Registration is $30, and registrants will get access to session recordings.
Register for the virtual Consumer Food Safety Education Conference here.
Do You Need Weekly Soft Skills Inspo? Check Out Quick Bites
Quick Bites, a new weekly update from AFDO, will deliver fast fact learning opportunities focused on soft skills for food safety professionals. Delivered via email, each edition will feature one short, practical resource designed to spark ideas for change and action — whether applied individually or within an organization.
Curated by AFDO staff, Quick Bites can include videos, podcasts, and more that support the essential skills food safety professionals need — e.g., critical thinking, active listening, time management, problem solving, decision making, emotional intelligence, conflict management, and de-escalation. Built for regulators, industry professionals, and other food safety stakeholders, this series provides trusted, grab-and-go professional development.
Here’s a sample of what you can expect every week when you sign up for AFDO Quick Bites:
🎥 5 Simple Strategies to Sharpen Your Critical Thinking | BBC Ideas
🎥 How to Write an Email (No, Really) | Victoria Turk | TEDxAthens
🎥 The Difference Between the Verb and Noun of Employee Engagement | Solutions Explained by Roman 3
Regional Affiliate News
Nominations Open for the Mary Logan Scholarship
The Association of Food and Drug Officials of the Southern States awards the Mary Logan Scholarship to support the next generation of professionals in food, drug, and consumer product safety. Logan was the AFDOSS Secretary/Treasurer for 30 years and is retired after a 39-year career with the Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture.
Find the eligibility requirements for the $6,000 scholarship in her honor here. You can find an online application here. Submit by June 16, 2026, for the 2026-2027 academic year. This year’s recipient will be announced during the AFDOSS AEC in August 2026.
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.
