National Advisory Committee on
Microbiological Criteria For Foods (NACMCF)

Updated April 14, 2004

Minutes of the NACMCF Plenary Session
February 13, 2004

Sheraton Buckhead Hotel
3405 Lenox Road
Atlanta, GA 30326

Dr. Robert Brackett, Director, Food and Drug Administration/Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FDA/CFSAN), Vice-Chair, started the meeting at 8:30 AM, Friday, February 13, and provided opening remarks.

Reports from the Subcommittee Chairs

Mr. Spencer Garrett, Chair, Subcommittee on Microbiological Performance Standards for Broilers (young chicken)/Ground Chicken reviewed in detail the Subcommittee work and report “NACMCF Response To The Questions Posed By FSIS Regarding Performance Standards With Particular Reference To Broilers (Young Chicken)”. Mr. Garrett presented the document to the Full Committee for consideration of adoption. After deliberations the document was adopted with changes (1st motion by Katherine Swanson, 2nd motion by Catherine Donnelly).

Mr. Dane Bernard, filling in for the Subcommittee Chair Dr. Don Zink, Criteria for Refrigerated Shelf-life Based on Safety, provided an interim report on a draft document. The draft document is a work-in-progress. The Subcommittee requested an additional week of meetings prior to the planned August NACMCF Plenary Session. No action was taken.

Dr. John Kvenberg, Subcommittee Chair, Scientific Criteria for Redefining Pasteurization, provided background and issues related to their charge on redefining pasteurization. The Subcommittee refined a proposed plan for a response document to their charge; and they are developing a definition of pasteurization. A draft document has not yet been assembled. The group will cover traditional thermal treatment and alternative processing technologies. The Subcommittee will focus on areas such as consideration of parameters for achieving successful pasteurization (for appropriate targets), validations, and possible guidance documents. No action was taken.

Public Comment and Response

Ms. Terry Scheuring, Wayne Farms LLC, Oakwood, GA, Corporate Laboratory and Regulatory Affairs Manager, commented on the subject of performance standards for broilers (young chicken). Specifically she said that “there is plant sanitation”, referring to page 14, number 2 (A) of the draft document under consideration for adoption. She said that from an industry perspective, the number and type of NR’s (non-compliance records) are not always indicative of actual plant sanitation. She suggested additional criteria be added to determine true plant sanitation. She also pointed out that it was unclear what was meant by “chilling procedures” on page 15, 3 (A). Additionally, she asked what was meant by appropriately accredited, “was this the FSIS 17025 standard?”, referring to laboratories that are involved in the testing of samples (page 21 of the draft document).

Mr. Spencer Garrett acknowledged that Ms. Scheuring’s comments were appreciated and that they would be noted for the record. He also pointed out that her comments would be taken under consideration by USDA and FSIS. Mr. Dane Bernard discussed the issues raised by Ms. Scheuring, and responded that details (requirements) on laboratory accreditation would be up to the Agency (FSIS) to determine.

Close

Dr. Robert Brackett adjourned the meeting at approximately 11:00 AM, Friday February 13, 2004.

A list of NACMCF members in attendance and outside participants follows. Further meeting details are available in the meeting transcripts.

2-13-04 NACMCF Meeting Participants

Vice-Chair: Dr. Robert Brackett

NACMCF Members:

• Dr. David Acheson
• Dr. Gary Ades
• Mr. Dane Bernard
• Dr. Larry Beuchat
• Dr. Peggy Cook
• Dr. Catherine Donnelly
• Dr. Stephanie Doores
• Dr. Frances Downes
• Dr. Dan Engeljohn
• Mr. Spencer Garrett
• Dr. Patricia Griffin
• Dr. Lee-Ann Jaykus
• Dr. Robin King
• Dr. Mahipal Kunduru
• Dr. John Kvenberg
• Dr. Carol Maddox
• Dr. Roberta Morales
• Dr. Eli Perencevich
• Ms. Angela Ruple
• Dr. Skip Seward
• Dr. John Sofos
• Dr. Katie Swanson
• Dr. R. Bruce Tompkin

NACMCF Executive Committee:

• Dr. Art Liang, CDC
• Maj. Erik Torring, VSA

FSIS Staff:

• Ms. Gerri Ransom
• Ms. Karen Thomas

FDA Staff:

• Mr. Don Kautter
• Mr. Brett Podoski
• Dr. Richard Whiting

NMFS Staff:

• Ms. Emille Cole
• Ms. Barbara Comstock

Outside Participant: Ms. Theresa Scheuring, Wayne Farms LLC

For Further Information Contact:

Gerri Ransom
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Office of Public Health and Science
Room 333, Aerospace Center
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250-3700
Phone: (202) 690-6600
Fax: (202) 690-6337
E-mail: gerri.ransom@fsis.usda.gov

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