Two important food safety advisory committees have been disbanded. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) and the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) are no longer operational.
Consumer Reports, a food safety and consumer advocacy group, expressed concern over this decision. They warned that the end of these committees means food safety may not be a priority for the USDA in the near future. These committees provided critical scientific advice to the USDA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on food safety issues. Ignoring this expert guidance, they argue, is risky for public health.
So far, there has been no official comment from the Presidential Administration or any federal health agencies regarding the cancellation of these committees.
Before its termination, NACMCF was actively working to address serious foodborne illness outbreaks. They were reviewing USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations on Listeria monocytogenes, especially after a deadly outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats in late 2024. This committee was also focused on the contamination of powdered infant formula with Cronobacter, which led to two infant deaths in 2022 and a formula shortage across the nation.
Recent meetings of NACMPI discussed how USDA could better define establishment sizes and improve inspection technologies. They were also working on ways to engage underserved communities to promote fairness and strengthen the food supply chain while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
NACMCF was formed in 1988 to provide unbiased scientific advice on food safety. Meanwhile, NACMPI has been advising the Secretary of Agriculture since 1971 on inspection program matters. Both committees have played vital roles in safeguarding the nation’s food supply.
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