USDA eliminates pair of food safety advisory committees

The USDA has eliminated two food safety advisory committees, including the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). Established in 1988, the committee provided 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 committee was formed in response to the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations to provide an interagency approach to microbiological criteria, given that numerous federal, state and local agencies are responsible for food safety, according to the USDA website.

A 2021-2023 NACMCF report fielded several charge questions from government agencies, including one from the Food and Drug Administration seeking information on factors that can contribute to Cyclospora cayetanensis contamination of domestically grown and imported produce, as well as recommendations for developing a prevention and management strategy.

The USDA also eliminated the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection under an executive order aimed at reducing bureaucracy, an agency spokesperson told CNBC. Committee members learned of the termination of the microbiological committee on March 6, according to an email from USDA received by committee members and seen by Reuters.

“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,” Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said in a March 6 statement.  “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.”

Committee members were appointed and received no salary. The committees had a combined budget of $300,000 for staff support and travel, according to their websites.

On March 5, an independent federal board ordered the USDA to temporarily reinstate close to 6,000 employees fired since Feb. 13, finding reasonable grounds to believe they were terminated illegally.

The Merit Systems Board ordered the fired workers to be returned to their jobs for 45 days while an investigation continues. The board acts as an internal court for federal employees’ complaints against the government.