July 2026 Salmonella Outbreak in Eggs Is Over, Say CDC and FDA
Recalled eggs from Midwest Poultry Services shipped to foodservice and retailers in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, should no longer be available for sale, said the FDA on September 3, 2026. After an investigation, the company recalled the eggs on July 22, 2026. The associated outbreak, which sickened 54 persons and hospitalized 34, is declared over by the CDC.
Read the current update here.
Updated: AFDO Remembers Denise Rooney
AFDO is saddened to share that Denise Rooney, the association’s former administrator, died August 26, 2026, at 72 years old. Rooney served AFDO from the mid-1990s to her retirement in 2014. Share a memory and read others’ tributes here. Below, former Executive Director Joe Corby shares his memories of Rooney.
Many younger members of AFDO probably are not aware of the impact Denise Rooney had on this organization. Frankly, it’s nothing less than remarkable.
The people AFDO has represented for 130 years have always been very important consumer protection officials, but our organization’s former offices have not been all that impressive. In the early years, we operated wherever we could at federal and state facilities. When I came to AFDO, we were in the York, Pennsylvania, home garage of Whitney Almquist, who served as our Administrator. It was there and then that Denise came to work for AFDO assisting Whitney, who would leave shortly thereafter.
Denise then became our Administrator and began working with various AFDO Presidents and AFDO Executive Boards to plot and plan a vision to make the organization as great as the members it represented. If you look at AFDO today, you see strong alliances, impactful committees, and a staff of more than 20 professional individuals who oversee training efforts, grant and cooperative agreements with federal agencies, and efforts to advance a fully integrated food safety system. Our growth and impact have been astounding.
I was around with Denise when we obtained our first federal grants; when we assembled a training staff to deliver programs to state and local agencies; when we began developing guidance documents, directories of officials, and resource surveys; when we fought against proposed federal legislation that would strip enforcement authorities from state and local authorities; and when we began the complex journey to advance an integrated food safety system. All of these and many other efforts that began then were significant and noteworthy, and it was all with the administrative assistance and guidance provided by Denise.
Look at our organization’s long history and you will find many innovators and pioneers. Please remember Denise, as she rightfully belongs in this group of prominent AFDO people.
AFDO extends its heartfelt condolences to Rooney’s family during this difficult time.
Train With AFDO This Fall and Winter
Ready to level up? Register now for AFDO’s upcoming training courses, running from this fall and winter. Spots are limited, so browse the lineup below and secure your seat today.
Meaningful Metrics for Regulators: How to Create Meaningful Metrics for Food Safety Programs
September 25 (noon to 1:25 p.m. ET)
Food inspection is a vital activity that ensures the safety of food products. In this free training session from AFDO, you’ll receive the tools to design and use effective food inspection metrics, which can help you improve your program performance and demonstrate your value. Includes exercises and attendee engagement activities. Learn more and register here.
Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue
September 16, 21, 30, and October 7 and 14 (1 to 3:30 p.m. ET each day)
This transformative course teaches food safety professionals how to confidently navigate and be accountable to the conversations that matter most: the ones where opinions differ, stakes are high, and emotions run strong. Learn more, find the agenda, and register here.
Root Cause Analysis for Retail Food Safety
September 28, 29, 30, and October 1 (11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET each day)
Ideal for regulatory and industry food safety professionals, this course develops the skills needed to define the problem, collect data, determine the “why” of the violation or outbreak, and identify solutions by applying the concepts of root cause analysis to reduce risk factor violation occurrence and enhance foodborne illness outbreak investigations. Learn more, find the agenda, and register here.
Basic Inspections and Investigations Course for New Manufactured Food and Retail Regulators, and Industry Professionals
February 1-5, 2027 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET each day)
The Basic Inspections and Investigations Course (BIAI) provides basic and fundamental learning opportunities for new food regulators and industry professionals who have responsibilities for performing routine, non-routine inspections, and complaint investigations. Learn more, find the agenda, and register here.
AFDO’s Fresh Take Fridays Are Underway
AFDO’s free Fresh Take Fridays series is back this fall. Here is info about the first four webinars:
Everything is Edible at Least Once, Right?
Friday, September 18
Natashia Swalve, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Grand Valley State University, will examine 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. Register here.
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.
Plan to Take Action September 18 During National Food Safety Month
The Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) has organized the 2026 Collective Day of Action. Prepare for Friday, September 18, with PFSE’s toolkit, which contains dozens of ideas for participation by food safety professionals and stakeholders, including messages, graphics, and more.
AFDO.org Pro Tips
AFDO A to Z Resources
In this regularly updated eNews section, AFDO staffers will share their pro tips on how to get the most from afdo.org. Assistant Program Director Steve Moris offers a pro tip on using AFDO’s A to Z Resources.
“Looking for food safety resources without the endless searching? AFDO’s A to Z Resource Page has you covered! Whether you’re conducting inspections, responding to outbreaks, developing policies, training staff, or digging into an emerging issue, you’ll find trusted, science-based guidance and practical tools from AFDO and its partners – all organized by topic and easy to explore. Spend less time searching and more time putting reliable information to work.”
Pro Tip: Think of the A to Z Resource Page as your food safety toolbox. Use the topic filters to quickly locate checklists, guidance documents, training opportunities, and practical tools whenever you need them.
ICYMI: Worth Another Look
Salmonella and E. Coli Illnesses Associated With Sprouts Investigation Is Ongoing
On August 22, 2026, Everything Sprouts (sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands) recalled its alfalfa sprouts. On August 28, 2026, the company expanded the recall to include certain lots of Robust Radish Sprout Mix. The latter has the potential for cross-contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) or Salmonella from the recalled alfalfa sprouts. So far there are 55 associated cases of illness and four hospitalizations.
To learn more, read the August 31, 2026, update here.
FDA Explains Its Classification of the Taylor Farms de Mexico Iceberg Lettuce Recall
On August 28, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued its classification for the recall of iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico associated with the multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections, along with a classification of a related downstream recall.
While these classification postings are part of the normal recall response process, the company’s original recall notice issued July 17, 2026, remains the same.
The Best if Used By Dates for the recalled lettuce have passed, and the products should no longer be available in stores or restaurants. Supported by recall audit checks, FDA announced that it’s confident no recalled iceberg lettuce remains on the market.
Read the full update here.
Dorothy Zimmerman, Longtime Member of the Seafood HACCP Alliance, Dies at 66
AFDO is saddened to share that Dorothy Zimmerman, who brought her communications, organizational, and administrative skills to the Seafood HACCP Alliance for decades, died on August 16, 2026, at her home in Gainesville, Georgia. Zimmerman also served as director of communications at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and you can read that organization’s tribute to her here.
AFDO extends its deepest condolences to Zimmerman’s family and friends. View her obituary here.
CDC Declares Soft Cheese Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Is Over
With FDA’s investigation of recalled Clover Hill Dairy cheese products complete, CDC declared that the associated Listeria outbreak is over. Most of the products are past their expiration dates and should no longer be available in stores or at restaurants. A total of 15 infected persons had been reported from four states with 14 hospitalizations and one death.
Read the full August 26, 2026, update here.
2026 AEC Session on Working With Future Generations Is Now Available on YouTube
In this future-looking 2026 AFDO AEC session, Jason Evans, Johnson & Wales University, provided new insights on the Gen Z workforce and imagines how the rise of Generation Alpha – and the technologies, ideals, and perspectives that define them – might impact all things food and food safety.
Watch it here.
2026 WAFFP Conference Is This Month
Campbell’s Resort in Chelan, Washington, is the site for the 2026 WAFFP Conference September 17-18. You can register now to collaborate with food safety professionals for two days of sessions and presentations. The group is also hosting a four-person best ball scramble golf tournament on September 16, 2026.
Find all conference details, including registration and hotel information, here.
Cannabis Committee Webinar Series Continues This Friday
Guardrails or Gatekeepers? The Next Chapter of Hemp, Marijuana, and Federal Reform is the title of the next session in the AFDO Cannabis, Hemp, and Natural Psychedelics Committee webinar series. On Friday, September 11, 2026, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. ET, learn about the framework of the Whole Plant Act, a model law written for any legislature to adopt and the two instruments built to carry it: an Open Standard tool and a process authority model.
Find more details, including presenter information, and register here.
Watch previous sessions of the AFDO Cannabis, Hemp, and Natural Psychedelics Committee webinar series 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.
Connect at the Combination Products Summit November 17-18 in Baltimore
The AFDO/RAPS Healthcare Products Collaborative is hosting the Combination Products Summit. The annual event will convene November 17-18, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. On Monday, November 16, a full-day workshop titled “Navigating Industry Trends: Hot Topics, Regulatory Best Practices, and Drug Delivery Strategies” is available for an additional fee.
Register by October 2 to save with early registration discounts. Book your hotel by October 23 for the best rates in the event room block.
Read more about the conference here.
Regional Affiliate News
September 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.
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.
