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Source: USDA, 10/19/21 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the
appointment of 13 new members and 17 returning members to the National Advisory
Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF).Members of the committee
are chosen based on their expertise in microbiology, risk assessment,
epidemiology, public health, food science, and other relevant disciplines. One
individual affiliated with a consumer group is included in the membership of
the committee to serve in a representational capacity. “As we invest in strengthening our food systems by supporting improved production and processing, NACMCF members offer expert advice on scientific and technical food safety issues,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “These individuals will play a significant role in helping to ensure the safety of our nation’s food supply.” The activities of NACMCF
are carried out, in part, by subcommittees that are focused on specific areas
being considered by the full committee. NACMCF has made important contributions
to a broad range of critical food safety issues. The committee reports provide
current information and scientific advice to federal food safety agencies and
serve as a foundation for regulations and programs aimed at reducing foodborne
disease and enhancing public health. Federal food safety agencies involved with
NACMCF are FSIS, FDA, CDC, Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries
Service, and Department of Defense Veterinary Services. The newly appointed
NACMCF members to serve a two-year term are:
- Dr. Teshome Yehualaeshet,
Tuskegee University
- Dr. Yaohua (Betty) Feng, Purdue
University
- Dr. Bing Wang, University of
Nebraska-Lincoln
- Dr. Randy W. Worobo, Cornell
University
- Dr. Mahipal Kunduru, Topco
Associates LLC
- Dr. Elisabetta Lambertini,
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
- Ms. Joelle Mosso, Eurofins
- Dr. Max Teplitski, Produce
Marketing Association
- Dr. Joseph (Stan) Bailey, bioMérieux
- Dr. Tanya Roberts, Center for
Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention
- Ms. Janell Kause, USDA, Food
Safety and Inspection Service
- Dr. Andreas Keller, HHS, Food
and Drug Administration
- Lt. Col. Audrey McMillan-Cole,
DVM, DoD, Defense Logistics Agency
See the full list of NACMCF members. NACMCF will hold a public
meeting of the full Committee and Subcommittees from November 17, 2021 to
November 19, 2021. The Committee will discuss the following two new charges:
Enhancing Salmonella Control
in Poultry Products and Cyclospora cayetanensis Contamination. For more details about NACMCF charges or to register to attend this meeting, go to FSIS’ website at www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/federal-register-rulemaking/federal-register-notices. BackgroundThe NACMCF was
established in 1988, in response to a recommendation of the National Academy of
Sciences for an interagency approach to microbiological criteria for foods, and
in response to a recommendation of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee
on Appropriations, as expressed in the Rural Development, Agriculture, and
Related Agencies Appropriation Bill for fiscal year 1988. NACMCF provides
scientific advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and the
Secretary of Health and Human Services on public health issues relative to the
safety and wholesomeness of the U.S. food supply, including development of
microbiological criteria and review and evaluation of epidemiological and risk
assessment data and methodologies for assessing microbiological hazards in
foods. The Committee also provides scientific advice and recommendations to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Departments of Commerce and
Defense. More information on NACMCF is available on the FSIS
website. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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