[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
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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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]
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