Food Safety Advisory Committee

The Food Safety Advisory Committee advises the Board of Directors on food protection (food safety, food defense, and food security) issues.

Responsibilities

  • To serve as the lead AVMA body on food safety issues, programs, and proposed priorities
  • To serve as the lead AVMA body regarding the safety of animal feed and pet food products
  • To assemble information, confer with experts, and prepare policy recommendations for the Board of Directors on the subject of food safety
  • To study management and practitioner measures to enhance food safety at all production levels, including microbiological, chemical, and physical hazard reduction, for these purposes:
    • Advising on the role of food animal practitioners in quality assurance programs, in verifying compliance with quality assurance programs, and in certification of good production practices
    • Advising on approaches to continuing education and implementation of food safety measures in all production environments
    • Advising on priorities of research needed to enhance food safety
  • To facilitate a One Health approach integrating all sectors of the veterinary profession to ensure a safe and secure global food supply

Membership, method of appointment, and representation

The committee is comprised of 10 AVMA members, who may serve a maximum of two, three-year terms and are designated as follows:

  • Two members are designated by the AVMA Council on Public Health (COPH).
  • A primary and alternate representative will be designated for each of the other eight positions. The alternate representative will serve when the primary representative is unable to attend a meeting. The AVMA Board of Directors will consider and confirm the nominees, but it may reject a nominee for cause and request another nomination.
    • One member representing expertise in pet food manufacturing
    • One member representing expertise in aquatic food animal medicine
    • One member representing each of the organizations listed here:
      American Association of Avian Pathologists
      American Association of Bovine Practitioners
      American Association of Extension Veterinarians
      American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians
      American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners
      American Association of Swine Veterinarians

Chair

The Food Safety Advisory Committee elects its chair and vice-chair from among its membership.

Meetings

The committee is authorized to hold one in-person meeting per year at the AVMA headquarters and may meet virtually as needed to fulfill its charge.

Funding

Travel expenses are authorized in accordance with the AVMA travel policy.

Reports

The committee advises and submits reports to the Council on Public Health and the Board of Directors.

Life expectancy

The committee will be reviewed in compliance with AVMA governance policies.