Frank Yiannas Leads Food Safety Culture Session for Two Days in Texas
Last week, nearly 40 participants from state and local health and agriculture agencies nationwide gathered in San Antonio, Texas, for AFDO’s two-day Food Safety Culture for Regulators course with former FDA Deputy Commissioner, Food Policy & Response, Frank Yiannas.
Common themes from Day One included exploring food safety management through the lens of behavioral change and systems thinking, elevating it from a process-based, linear approach.
On Day Two, attendees used behavioral science principles centered around continuous improvement to build a food safety culture in both public and private sector environments.
FDA, CDC, Local Partners Investigate March 2026 Multistate E. Coli Infection Outbreak
As of March 14, 2026, a total of seven confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections were reported from three states, including five in California and one each in Florida and Texas. Known illness onset dates range from September 1, 2025, to February 13, 2026.
Evidence indicates that Raw Farm-brand raw cheddar cheese products made by Raw Farm, LLC, are the likely source of this outbreak. Though FDA has recommended that Fresno, California-based Raw Farm voluntarily remove its raw cheese products from the market, the firm has declined.
Read the full update here.
FDA Looks at Potential Contamination of Produce by BSAAO, Including Manure
FDA’s March 2026 risk assessment evaluates and quantifies the risk of human illness associated with consuming produce grown in fields or other growing areas with untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO), including raw manure.
Read the full update here.
One More Month to Save on 2026 AFDO AEC Registration Rates!
This year’s AFDO Annual Educational Conference will be June 5-9, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio. Get ready for five days of educational sessions focused on three content tracks. Make new connections with peers and find out how they are managing common challenges.
New for this year: Pre-conference activities kick off Friday, June 5, with the opening evening session on Saturday, June 6.
Early bird registration is open until April 15, so register ASAP to get the discounted rate.
AFDO members get an additional discount for the annual conference.
Not a current member? You can save an additional $100 off the early bird price 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.
Recent Posts From FSIS Highlight Outbreak Investigations and Salmonella Testing
A summary of FY25 foodborne illness outbreaks investigated by FSIS is now available from the agency. The report includes pathogens, associated product recalls, and the names and number of products investigated.
FSIS also released the after-action review report of a May 2024 investigation of L. monocytogenes illness linked to ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.
On March 6, 2026, FSIS updated its Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Posting page, specifically, the individual establishment Salmonella performance standard category information for raw poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, and comminuted poultry products.
To read additional reports and learn more about FSIS outbreak investigation, visit the agency’s website by clicking here.
AFDO.org Pro Tips
Retail HACCP Plan Review Service
In this new regularly updated eNews section, AFDO staffers will share their pro tips on how to get the most from afdo.org. Scientific Affairs Director Sally Flowers offers pro tips on how to get the most out of AFDO’s Retail HACCP Plan Review Service.
“Retail operations can involve complex processes. AFDO makes retail HACCP plan reviews easier by providing a streamlined process with timely turnaround. Our staff works closely with each establishment, regulatory and technical experts, and the jurisdictions where the plan will be used. A Final Review Letter confirms the plan has received a thorough expert review, saving your organization time and money.”
Pro Tip: Free, ready‑to‑use HACCP templates are available online, along with Guidance for Developing НАССР Plans for Specialized Processes at Retail. After AFDO completes its review, the establishment submits the HACCP plan and Final Review Letter to the jurisdiction for approval plus any required variances.
ICYMI: Worth Another Look
Key Leadership Changes at FSIS
FSIS Deputy Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen and Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD) Assistant Administrator Rachel Edelstein retired at the end of February.
In new roles at the agency are April Regonlinksi, Assistant Administrator of OPPD, and William Griffin, the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA).
You can find these updates, and all personnel changes, on the FSIS website.
Catch the Most Recent Fresh Take Fridays Webinars
If you missed any of the most recent webinars in AFDO’s Fresh Take Fridays series, you can catch them by clicking on any of the following titles:
Connecting the Dots on HPAI: State and National Updates
March 6, 2026
Understanding the GRAS Loophole and Food Additive Regulation in the United States
December 12, 2025
Food Safety Culture: What We’ve Learned From EHS-Net Research
December 5, 2025
Help AFDO plan future Fresh Take Fridays sessions by taking a short survey to crystallize and submit your idea for a future webinar. You may have an insight from a foodborne illness outbreak or a topic you heard in a recent presentation that merits more attention. Help the FTF planning committee by sharing your thoughts in this survey.
View Now
AFDO Cannabis, Hemp, and Natural Psychedelics Committee Webinar
Three sessions in the AFDO Cannabis Series, including a two-part webinar with Dr. John MacKay, Founder and CEO of Synergistic Technologies Research, LLC, “Principles and Practice in Assessing Compliance of Cannabis Manufacturing” can be viewed here. The third video, “Conditional Access: Psychedelics, Power, and the Fight to Keep Whole-Plane Cannabis Medicine in the Public Domain” features Dr. Del Potter, a medical anthropologist who is founder and chief science office of Aya Biosciences.
Watch all three sessions of the webinar series here.
Early Bird Discount Extended for MedCon 2026
The AFDO/RAPS Healthcare Products Collaborative is bringing MedCon back April 22-24, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Columbus in Columbus, Ohio. On Tuesday, April 21, there will be a full-day workshop titled “Case Studies in Medical Device Post Market Activities,” which is available for an additional fee.
Take advantage of Early Bird prices before March 20, and book your hotel by March 31 for the best rates in the event room block.
You can register here.
Regional Affiliate News
2026 WAFDO AEC Call for Abstracts Now Open
The Colorado Environmental Health Association is partnering with the Western Association of Food and Drug Officials and the Rocky Mountain Food Safety Conference for what the groups are calling a Mega Annual Education Conference, September 21-24, 2026, at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel in Lakewood, Colorado.
The organizations have opened a call for abstracts, encouraging potential speakers and organizers to bring forward the stories, lessons, and innovations that have shaped their work. They are seeking talks on environmental health, including food, water, air, zoonosis, and more. Visit the Call for Abstracts page for more information.
AFDOSS AEC Set for Gatlinburg August 23-26
Association of Food and Drug Officials of the Southern States (AFDOSS) is hosting this year’s AEC back in Gatlinburg August 23-26. Stay tuned afdoss.org for more registration and hotel block info coming soon. For anyone interested in being a conference sponsor this year, the AFDOSS AEC team is searching for sponsorships. If you’re interested in sponsoring or donating items for raffles, gift bags, etc., contact AFDOSS Treasurer Craig Nielsen at afdoss.craig@gmail.com.
