USDA dissolves two food safety advisory committees in downsizing move

United States – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently dissolved two food safety advisory committees: The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) and the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) as part of cost-cutting efforts.

According to the agency’s records, the two committees had a combined annual budget of approximately US$300,000, covering staff support and travel reimbursements for members. Their unanticipated dissolution was, therefore, in alignment with President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting directive.

The NACMPI was established in 1971, and its primary role was to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on food safety policies that contributed to the USDA’s regulatory policy development. The full Committee consisted of no more than 20 members and would have meetings at least once annually.

The NACMCF, established in 1988 by the Secretary of Agriculture, is a discretionary advisory committee that provides impartial scientific advice and recommendations to the USDA and other government agencies on microbiological and public health issues relative to the safety of the U.S. food supply. The full committee consists of not more than 30 members, meeting one to three times annually.

The food safety programs of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are strengthened through NACMCF recommendations.

Before their closure, NACMCF and NACMPI were already involved in some ongoing projects.

Based on a September 2024 meeting notice, NACMPI was working on reviewing and advising FSIS on whether the Agency should change its definition for establishment sizes to better assess and describe current business operations and offer input on ways technology could enhance FSIS inspection activities.

Meanwhile, the NACMCF was charged with reviewing the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Services’ (FSIS) regulatory approach for Listeria monocytogenes, prompted by a fatal listeriosis outbreak.

The closure of the two committees sparked mixed reactions, with some praising cost-cutting efforts while others raised concerns over food safety oversight.

“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,” Consumer Reports food policy director Brian Ronholm commented.

On the other hand, a USDA spokesperson recently stated that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins “fully supports the President’s directive to improve government, eliminate inefficiencies, and strengthen USDA’s many services to the American people”.

Nonetheless, the statement further noted that the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will continue to fulfil its mission to keep the supply of meat, poultry, and egg products safe, wholesome, and properly labelled for consumers, even in the absence of the two advisory committees.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.