Recent history has seen Listeria monocytogenes in cheeses, peaches, ice cream, raw milk cheese, leafy greens, ham, taco kits, salad kits and more products; and the government recognizes the problem.
As a result, the United States Department of Agriculture is soliciting nominations for membership in the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF),
NACMCF is an advisory committee that provides impartial scientific advice and recommendations to USDA and other government agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, on microbiological and public health issues affecting food safety.
USDA plans to appoint 30 committee members by 2025. These members will be charged with reviewing the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) regulatory approach to Listeria monocytogenes.
About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell putrid, but it can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections.
Symptoms of listeriosis can develop up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are needed to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other diseases.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people such as cancer patients with weakened immune systems are at particular risk for serious illness, life-threatening infections and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild symptoms, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature birth, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
Committee role
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service plans to leverage NACMCF’s expertise to inform long-term policy changes related to Listeria monocytogenes regulation, as well as significant changes to the Listeria rule and oversight of inspections for ready-to-eat food facilities .
The changes resulted from an ongoing internal review of USDA-FSIS processes following a high-profile, fatal outbreak of listeriosis linked to RTE deli meat produced in a chronically unsanitary and unsafe Boar’s Head facility. The revision is likely to lead to more changes in the future.
For the NACMCF Committee, USDA is seeking nominations from individuals with knowledge and expertise in microbiology, risk assessment, epidemiology, public health, food science, and other relevant disciplines to obtain the scientific perspectives, expertise, experience, and views of all stakeholders.
Those with experience in the specific areas targeted by NACMCF (i.e. Cronobacter, Listeria, genomic characterization, aged raw milk cheeses) are especially encouraged to apply.
Nominees affiliated with consumer organizations do not need to have a scientific background. Individuals from academia, industry, state and local government agencies, public health organizations, and industry and consumer organizations are invited to submit nominations. Self-nominations are welcome.
All nomination packets must be received within 60 days of publication the Federal Register notificationwhere you can find instructions for applying.
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