Loss of USDA food safety committees is a loss for everyone in America

The recent decision to eliminate the USDA’s National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) and their National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) should alarm every American. This isn’t just about disbanding committees. It’s a clear signal that food safety — at the federal level — is no longer a top priority.

I had the honor of serving two appointed terms on NACMPI as a consumer advocate for food safety. These committees were not bureaucratic formalities; they were essential forums where industry leaders, independent experts, and consumer voices collaborated to strengthen food safety policies. Their expertise provided oversight and science-based recommendations.

Without them, we are left with a dangerous void — one likely to be filled by corporate interests prioritizing cost savings over public health. The often-repeated phrase, “America has the safest food supply in the world,” should serve as a commitment to uphold, not an excuse to weaken consumer protections. Food safety is not a static achievement — it requires constant vigilance against bacterial contamination, emerging pathogens, and supply chain vulnerabilities.

Eliminating these advisory committees is akin to dismantling a fire department because there hasn’t been a fire in a while. It is reckless, short-sighted, and will cost lives. Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, put it bluntly: “The termination of these two importa.