The USDA’s National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) was established in 1988 by the Secretary of Agriculture, after consulting with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The committee provides impartial scientific advice and recommendations to federal agencies on microbiological and public health issues relative to the safety of the U.S. food supply.
The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) was established in 1971 to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on matters affecting federal and state inspection program activities.
Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, issued the following statement today in response to the elimination of the NACMCF and National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). “The termination of these two important advisory committees is very alarming and should serve as a warning to consumers that food safety will not be a priority at USDA in the foreseeable future. These expert panels provide impartial scientific advice and recommendations to USDA, FDA and the CDC on public health issues related to food safety in the U.S. The failure to recognize and leverage the value of this scientific expertise is dangerous and irresponsible.”
Sandra Eskin, CEO, Stop Foodborne Illness, commented on NACMCF and NACMPI being eliminated. “The two food safety advisory committees, NACMCF and NACMPI, reportedly being eliminated, ensure that federal food safety oversight is science-based and informed by a broad range of stakeholders. Without the input of these committees, we have little confidence that the food safety policies at USDA and FDA will, in fact, Make America Healthy Again.”
Separately, an independent federal board has ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to temporarily reinstate close to 6,000 employees fired since Feb. 13, finding reasonable grounds to believe the agency acted illegally in terminating them.
The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) issued a stay, ordering the USDA to return the fired workers to their jobs for 45 days while an investigation continues. The MSPB acts as an internal court to consider federal employees’ complaints against the government.
Related Articles
-
Florida attorney Kyle Diamantas had focused his practice on civil litigation and regulatory compliance, with an emphasis on FDA, FTC, and state equivalent regulatory and compliance issues and disputes. He replaces Jim Jones, who resigned on February 17, 2025
-
FDA employees overseeing food ingredients received calls and emails notifying them that their recent terminations had been “rescinded effective immediately,”
-
"Unfortunately, the Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and skills do not fit the Agency's current needs, and your performance has not been adequate to justify further employment at the Agency," said…
-
The head of the food division at FDA quit in protest over staff cuts that he warns will hamper the agency’s ability to protect public health.
-
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. battled his way through his second Senate confirmation hearing today but the Senate hearings focused Mr. Kennedy’s views on vaccination and did not touch on his food and agriculture ideas and plans. Kennedy is on record…
-
Eskin, a respected leader in food safety, most recently at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has a long track record of food safety advocacy. Throughout her career, Eskin has worked on a broad range of food safety, consumer protection,…
