2013-01235. National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods; Reestablishment

AGENCY:

Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice of reestablishment of Committee.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice is announcing the reestablishment of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). The Committee is being reestablished in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The establishment of the Committee was recommended by a 1985 report of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Food Protection, Subcommittee on Microbiological Criteria, “An Evaluation of the Role of Microbiological Criteria for Foods.” The current charter for the NACMCF is available for viewing on the NACMCF homepage at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/​About_​FSIS/​NACMCF/​index.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karen Thomas, Advisory Committee Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Room 9-214D Patriots Plaza III, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700. Telephone number: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

USDA is charged with the administration and the enforcement of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA). The Secretary of DHHS is charged with the administration and enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). These Acts help protect consumers by ensuring that food products are wholesome, not adulterated, and properly marked, labeled, and packaged.

In order to assist the Secretaries in carrying out their responsibilities under the FMIA, PPIA, EPIA, and FFDCA, the NACMCF is being reestablished. The Committee will be charged with providing recommendations to the Secretaries on the development of microbiological criteria by which the safety and wholesomeness of food can be assessed, including criteria for microorganisms that indicate whether foods have been adequately and appropriately processed.

Reestablishment of this Committee is necessary and in the public interest because of the need for external expert advice on the range of scientific and technical issues that must be addressed by the FSIS and DHHS in meeting their statutory responsibilities. To address the complexity of the issues, the Committee is expected to meet one or more times annually.

Members will be appointed by the Secretary of USDA after consultation with the Secretary of the DHHS. Because of the complexity of matters addressed by this Committee, the Secretary may consult with other Federal Agencies, such as the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service, the Department of Defense's Defense Logistics Agency, and the DHHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for advice on membership appointments. Background materials are available on the Internet at the address noted above or by contacting the person listed above.

Additional Public Notification

FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/​regulations_​&​_​policies/​Federal_​Register_​Notices/​index.asp.

FSIS also will make copies of this Federal Register publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update (Update), which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals who have asked to be included. The Update also is available on the FSIS Web site. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic mail subscription service that provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/​News_​&​_​Events/​Email_​Subscription/​.

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USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.

To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Done at Washington, DC, on: January 4, 2013 .

Alfred V. Almanza,

Administrator.