WASHINGTON – The US Department of Agriculture announced that the full National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold an audio conference call to discuss food safety questions from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to support ground beef purchase for the Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs.

The committee will specifically address microbiological criteria, pathogen testing, methodology and sampling plans regarding ground beef purchases for the School Lunch Program.

The meeting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. EST. It is open to the public. To register contact Karen Thomas-Sharp at USDA, FSIS, Office of Public Health Science, Stop 3777, Patriots Plaza 3, Floor 9-47, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, or by phone (202) 690-6620, fax (202) 690-6334, or email at Karen.thomas-sharp@fsis.usda.