WASHINGTON — The Trump administration eliminated a pair of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) food safety advisory committees.

The agency notified members of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) and the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) about the cuts.

NACMCF was formed in 1988 to advise the secretaries of agriculture and health and human services regarding food safety concerns that could affect the US food supply.

Others that benefited from NACMCF work included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Commerce, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Department of Defense (DOD), Veterinary Services.

“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,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy for Consumer Reports. “These expert panels provide impartial scientific advice and recommendations to USDA, FDA and the CDC on public health issues related to food safety in the US. The failure to recognize and leverage the value of this scientific expertise is dangerous and irresponsible.”

Since 1971, NACMPI provided recommendations to the secretary of agriculture on food safety concerns and other inspection activities that will affect USDA’s policies. Some of the committee members include processors, meat science academics and other industry experts.

The NACMPI page on the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) website stated, “the framework for the committee’s agenda for the future will be set by identifying and addressing current food safety issues of concern to consumers and policy issues that affect USDA or any food regulatory agency.”

In December 2024, FSIS stated it was accepting nominations for membership to the NACMCF. The information was put out before the Trump administration took office in January 2025.