The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced that nominations are being sought for membership on the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). The Federal Register Notice can be found at: www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/NACMCF.

Nominations are being sought for individuals with scientific expertise in the fields of epidemiology, food technology, microbiology, toxicology, chemistry, risk assessment, infectious disease, biostatistics and other related sciences. Individuals who may be currently employed by state and federal governments, industry, academia or consumer groups are invited to submit nominations. Members who are not federal government employees will be appointed to serve as non-compensated special government employees (SGEs). SGEs will be subject to appropriate conflict of interest statutes and standards of ethical conduct. USDA is also seeking nominations for one individual affiliated with a consumer group to serve on the NACMCF. This member will serve as a representative member to provide a consumer viewpoint, and is not required to have a scientific background.

The nominee's typed resume or curriculum vitae must be limited to five one-sided pages and should include educational background, expertise and a select list of publications authored. The current charter for the NACMCF and other information about the committee are available at the above link.

Nominations and submissions must be received by August 9, 2010, and should be sent to Ms. Karen Thomas-Sharp, advisory committee specialist, Room 333, Aerospace Center, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, D.C. 20250. Ms. Thomas-Sharp can be reached at (202) 690-6620, by fax at (202) 690-6634, or at Karen.Thomas-Sharp@fsis.usda.gov.

The NACMCF was established in 1988 to provide 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. The Committee 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 work also assists the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Departments of Commerce and Defense.