Integrated food safety system online research and collaboration development: project summary the association of food and drug officials (AFDO) will support the continued development and promotion of…

The Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration awarded the Association of Food and Drug Officials a $1.8 million cooperative agreement on September 20, 2025, under the Food and Drug Administration Research program (CFDA 93.103) to enhance and maintain the FoodShield platform and Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) collaboration portal.

AFDO will develop and promote information sharing and research tools that strengthen federal collaboration with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners in advancing the Food Safety Modernization Act implementation. Major activities include enhancing the FoodShield platform to support interagency communication and data sharing; developing the Information Disclosure Portal and maintaining legacy portals; facilitating stakeholder-driven platform enhancements through agile development; improving FoodShield metrics to identify cost-savings and operational efficiency opportunities; and providing training and support resources to SLTT partners to improve regulatory capacity and program conformance.

The award period runs through August 31, 2028, with place of performance in York, Pennsylvania. AFDO brings institutional expertise in state food safety programs, laboratory systems, outbreak response, and digital infrastructure developed through its representation of state regulatory food programs since 1896.

Integrated food safety system online research and collaboration development: project summary the association of food and drug officials (AFDO) will support the continued development and promotion of innovative information sharing and research tools hosted on the integrated food safety system (IFSS) collaboration/research portal which will continue to strengthen federal collaboration with state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners to advance FDA's implementation of the food safety modernization act (FSMA). AFDO has represented state regulatory food programs since 1896 and brings an unparalleled team of technical and regulatory experts with deep institutional knowledge of food safety and public health programs. The principal investigator and project team include experienced professionals with backgrounds in state food safety programs, laboratory systems, outbreak response, and digital infrastructure development. Project management will benefit from an established infrastructure that includes real-time project tracking and a diverse and engaged network of federal and SLTT partners, whose input ensures alignment and relevance to the IFSS. Major activities under this agreement include: • enhancing and maintaining the foodshield platform to support interagency communication, data sharing, and regulatory coordination; • continued development of the information disclosure portal and ongoing maintenance of existing legacy portals and user-requested buildouts; • facilitating stakeholder-driven enhancements to foodshield through agile development and continuous feedback; • improving foodshield metrics to identify cost-savings, user engagement, and opportunities for operational efficiency for long-term platform sustainability • providing training and support resources to SLTT partners to improve regulatory capacity and program conformance; • promoting mutual reliance and collaboration through shared tools, best practices, and standardized training content; • supporting proficiency testing and laboratory accreditation efforts to strengthen analytical capabilities; • advancing public health initiatives through collaborative workgroups that are aligned with national food safety goals and that leverage interagency resources. Through these efforts, AFDO will continue to build a secure, scalable, and cost-effective digital infrastructure that empowers regulatory agencies and public health professionals to work smarter, share knowledge, and protect the food supply.