The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) is a U.S. federal advisory committee that provides scientific expertise on microbiological food safety issues. Since 1988, the NACMCF has been instrumental in enhancing food safety standards in the U.S. Experts from various sectors, including government, trade associations, industry and academia, have played a crucial role by:  

• Assessing microbiological hazards in food. 

• Developing guidelines for foodborne pathogen detection, prevention and control. 

• Providing risk assessments to support regulatory decision-making. 

• Developing reports to improve industry practices and guide food safety standards.  

Western Grower Science team members, SVP of Science, De Ann Davis, and AVP of Science Programs, Joelle Mosso, both served on the NACMCF, contributing to discussions related to Cyclospora cayetanensis and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in fresh produce.  

NACMCF’s Achievements in Cyclospora Guidance and Microbial Testing for RTE products  

NACMCF’s final report on Cyclospora, published in 2023, made several important contributions to improving food safety: 

• Enhanced Detection Methods: The committee found that existing PCR-based tests often produced false positives, sometimes detecting non-pathogenic species instead of Cyclospora cayetanensis. It recommended using multiple genetic targets and secondary confirmation techniques to improve accuracy. 

• Identified Weaknesses in Current Monitoring: The report highlighted that current testing procedures were unreliable, and that industry and regulatory agencies needed more rigorous validation methods for environmental and food sample testing. 

The NACMCF published a report titled, “Microbiological Testing by Industry of Ready-to-Eat Foods under FDA’s Jurisdiction for Pathogens (or Appropriate Indicator Organisms): Verification of Preventive Controls” in the Journal of Food Protection (Vol. 85, No. 11, 2022). This report provided guidance on microbial testing as a verification tool for food safety controls in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. The committee shared findings for the fresh produce industry, including:  

• For fresh-cut RTE fruits and vegetables, the NACMCF emphasized that a robust Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) should reduce the reliance on finished product testing. This is because the primary microbial risks—Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella—originate from environmental contamination rather than inherent product contamination.  
• However, finished product testing and microbiological testing remain essential in certain situations, such as when there is an indication of loss of process control, including positive findings in food contact surface testing. 

Dissolution of NACMCF 

Despite its critical contributions, the NACMCF was abruptly disbanded on March 7,  2025 under a federal executive order aimed at reducing government committees. Alongside the NACMCF, the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) was also eliminated. 

Why Does This Matter? 

• The NACMCF provided science-based advice to federal agencies, helping shape U.S. food safety policies and practices. 

• Without the NACMCF, foodborne pathogen improvement may be delayed, impacting significant advances in public health. 

• The committee’s volunteer-based structure ensured objective and credible scientific recommendations for regulators and the food industry that ultimately impact consumer health. 

For nearly four decades, the NACMCF provided critical, science-driven recommendations to help shape food safety policies and practices and protect America’s food supply. With its absence, the ability to maintain and advance food safety now rests more heavily on the shoulders of industry leaders and researchers. Similarly, without the expertise of this committee, there will be delays in updating food safety guidelines, risk assessment, regulatory standards, and other scientific advancements that will directly impact consumer health.