[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 51053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25573]


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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. 63, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 51053]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 98-053N]


National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for 
Foods; Renewal

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Rechartering of Committee.

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    This notice announces the rechartering 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). 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 Department of Agriculture (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, and egg products 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 
other than meat, poultry, and egg products and of animal feeds.
    In order to continue to meet the responsibilities of FMIA, PPIA, 
EPIA, and FFDCA, the National Committee on Microbiological Criteria for 
Foods is being reestablished. 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.
    Reestablishment 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, and other interested 
parties. This 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 Service and the Department of Defense's 
Veterinary Service Activity.
    For additional information, please contact Ms. Amelia L. Wright, 
Advisory Committee Specialist, USDA, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, Suite 6913 Franklin Court, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700. Background materials are available for 
inspection by contacting Ms. Wright at (202) 501-7343.
Reba Evans,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-25573 Filed 9-23-98; 8:45 am]
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