USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced last week the reestablishment of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF).  The committee is charged with providing recommendations to the Secretarires of Agriculture and Health and Human Services on micrbiological criteria by which the safety and wholesomeness of food can be assessed.  That work includes criteria for microgranismis that indicate whetehr foods have been adequately and appropriately processed.

The committee consists of scientists from adacemia, industry, other organizations and federal and state goverments, as well one representative from a consumer group.  NACMCF members are appointed by USDA Secretary in consulation witht the Secretary of Health and Human Services.    The current committee consists of 22 newly appointed and eight returning members.  Members of the committee include represetentatives from two National Chicken Council member companies:

  • Dr. Nandini Natraja, Keystone Foods
  • Dr. Ruth Petran, Ecolab