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National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
Restarts Critical Food Safety Work with 22 New Members, Renewed Charter |
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Congressional and Public Affairs
Richard J. McIntire
(202) 720-9113
WASHINGTON, January 28, 2013–The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection
Service (FSIS) today announced the re-chartering of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria
for Foods (NACMCF) and welcomes the addition of new members.
The committee is charged with providing recommendations to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human
Services (HHS) on microbiological criteria by which the safety and wholesomeness of food can be assessed.
That work includes criteria for microorganisms that indicate whether foods have been adequately and appropriately
processed.
"NACMCF's work provides FSIS and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a valuable resource for obtaining
external expert advice on scientific and technical food safety issues for our nation's food safety programs,"
said FSIS Administrator Al Almanza. "Re-chartering this committee benefits the public interest and fulfills
statutory responsibilities."
The committee membership consists of scientists from academia, industry, other organizations, and federal and
state government as well as one individual affiliated with a consumer group, who is serving in a representational
capacity. NACMCF members are appointed by the USDA Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of HHS with advice
on membership from the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service, the Department of Defense's
Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
The current charter for the NACMCF and a list of the 22 newly appointed and eight returning members can be viewed at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/NACMCF/index.asp
NACMCF members serve a two-year renewable term. To ensure a balanced membership with diverse viewpoints, FSIS has
employed a strong outreach effort to encourage nominations by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and
other under-represented populations.
Established in 1988, NACMCF formulates positions on the development of microbiological criteria, the review and
evaluation of epidemiological and risk assessment data and methodologies for assessing microbiological hazards
in foods. The committee's work also assists the CDC and the Departments of Commerce and Defense. The committee
is the outcome of a 1985 report of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Food Protection, Subcommittee on
Microbiological Criteria.
The NACMCF meets approximately twice annually, while subcommittees meet more often as necessary. Background
materials are available online at the previously noted address or by contacting Karen Thomas-Sharp at (202) 690-6620.
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Spanish at: twitter.com/usdafoodsafe_es. |
Last Modified: January 28, 2013 |
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