[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 28562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14013]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
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Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 5, 1996 /
Notices
[[Page 28562]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 96-026N]
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for
Foods; Renewal
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Reestablishment of Committee.
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This notice announces the renewal of the National Advisory
Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. The Committee is being
renewed in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS), and 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.''
USDA is charged with the enforcement of the Federal Meat Inspection
Act (FMIA), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), and the Egg
Products Inspection Act (EPIA). Under these Acts, USDA is responsible
for the wholesomeness and safety of meat, poultry, egg products and
products thereof intended for human consumption. Similarly, the
Secretary of HHS is charged with the enforcement of the Federal Food,
Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Under this Act, HHS is responsible for
ensuring the safety of human foods and animal feeds.
In order to continue to meet the responsibilities of the FMIA,
PPIA, EPIA and the FFDCA, the National Advisory Committee on
Microbiological Criteria for Foods is being renewed. The Committee will
be tasked with advising and 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 processed
using good manufacturing practices.
Renewal of this Committee is necessary and in the public interest
because the development of a sound public policy in this area can best
be accomplished by a free and open exchange of information and ideas
among Federal, State, and local agencies, the industry, the scientific
community, consumer organizations, and other interested parties. The
complexity of the issues to be addressed assures that more than one
meeting will be required to accomplish the Committee's tasks.
Members will be appointed by the Secretary of USDA after
consultation with the Secretary of HHS. Because of their interest in
the matters to be addressed by this Committee, advice on membership
appointments will be requested from the Department of Commerce's
National Marine Fisheries Services and the Department of Defense's
Veterinary Service Activity.
For additional information, please contact: Mr. Craig Fedchock,
Advisory Committee Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food
Safety and Inspection Service, Room 311, 1255 22nd Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20250-3700. Background materials are available for
inspection by contacting Mr. Fedchock on (202)254-2517.
Done at Washington, DC, on: May 23, 1996.
Wardell Townsend, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 96-14013 Filed 6-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
