United’s David Gombas Appointed to Food Safety Advisory Committee
February 5, 2013 
United Fresh Produce Association has announced that Dr. David Gombas has been appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the re-chartering of the committee and 22 new members on January 28.
The committee is charged with providing recommendations to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services on microbiological criteria by which the safety and wholesomeness of food can be assessed. That work includes criteria for microorganisms that indicate whether foods have been adequately and appropriately processed.
“With the Food Safety Modernization Act rulemaking process moving along, the NACMCF is critical to helping the government implement the new law with sound science,” said Tom Stenzel, United Fresh president and CEO. “United is proud to represent the fresh produce industry on this influential committee.”
Established in 1988, NACMCF formulates positions on the development of microbiological criteria, the review and evaluation of epidemiological and risk assessment data and methodologies for assessing microbiological hazards in foods. The committee’s work also assists the CDC and the Departments of Commerce and Defense. The committee membership consists of scientists from academia, industry, other organizations, and federal and state government as well as one individual affiliated with a consumer group, who is serving in a representational capacity. NACMCF members are appointed by the USDA Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of HHS with advice on membership from the Department of Commerce’s National Marine Fisheries Service, the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The current charter for the NACMCF and a list of the 22 newly appointed and eight returning members can be viewed here.