[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63433-63434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26021]


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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 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 199 / Friday, October 15, 2010 / 
Notices  

[[Page 63433]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2010-0033]


National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for 
Foods; Re-Establishment

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of re-chartering of Committee.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this 
notice is announcing the re-chartering of the National Advisory 
Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) by the 
Secretary of Agriculture on September 24, 2010. 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 current 
charter for the NACMCF is available for viewing on the NACMCF homepage 
at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/NACMCF/index.asp.
    At this time the charter is being changed to add one individual 
affiliated with a consumer group to be appointed to the NACMCF as a 
representative member. This member will provide a consumer viewpoint to 
Committee work and will not be required to have a scientific 
background. The balance of the Committee membership will be scientists, 
and those who are not regular government employees will be appointed as 
special government employees.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Thomas-Sharp, Advisory Committee 
Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS), Room 333 Aerospace Center, 1400 & 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700. Telephone number: 
(202) 690-6620.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    USDA is charged with 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 
HHS is charged with the administration and enforcement of the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). These Acts help protect consumers 
by assuring 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 re-chartered. 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.
    Re-chartering 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 Federal 
sponsors in meeting their statutory responsibilities. The complexity of 
the issues to be addressed requires that 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 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, the Department of Defense's 
Veterinary Service Activity, and the Department of Health and Human 
Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Background 
materials are available on the Web at the address noted above or by 
contacting Karen Thomas-Sharp.

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. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, 
etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and 
TTY).
    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.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that the 
public and in particular minorities, women, and persons with 
disabilities, are aware of this notice, FSIS will announce it on-line 
through the FSIS Web page located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/2010_Notices_Index/.
    FSIS also will make copies of this Federal Register publication 
available through the FSIS Constituent 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 our constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free e-mail 
subscription service consisting of industry, trade, and farm groups, 
consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, scientific 
professionals, and other individuals who have requested to be included. 
The Update also is available on the FSIS Web page. Through Listserv and 
the Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, 
more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an e-mail subscription 
service which 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/.

[[Page 63434]]

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    Done at Washington, DC, on October 12, 2010.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-26021 Filed 10-14-10; 8:45 am]
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