[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11640]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]


                                                    VOL. 59, NO. 92

                                               Friday, May 13, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 

National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for 
Foods; Renewal

Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. 94-]
    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 (NAS) 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 under the FMIA, 
PPIA, EPIA, and the FFDCA, the National Advisory Committee of 
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 processes.
    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; 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 microbiological criteria for foods, advice on membership 
appointments will be requested from the Department of Commerce's 
National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Department of Defense's U.S. 
Army Natick Research and Development Center. Nominations for membership 
are based primarily on expertise in food science, microbiology, and 
other relevant disciplines.

    For additional information, please contact: Mr. Craig Fedchock, 
Advisory Committee Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, Room 2151, South Agriculture Building, 
14th and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250.

    Done at Washington, DC, on April 22, 1994.

Wardell Townsend, Jr.,

Assistant Secretary for Administration.

[FR Doc. 94-11640 Filed 5-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-M