UK food safety authority seeks lab experts
independent advisory committee on the microbiological safety of
foods (ACMSF).
Food Standards Agency (FSA) chair Deirdre Hutton says that she is looking for applications from an enforcer with expertise in environmental health, a clinician with expertise in public health medicine, and an expert in clinical microbiology.
The closing date for applications is 3 February 2006, and the posts will become vacant from 1 April 2006.
The FSA says that candidates must be strong team players with common sense, good analytical skills, and impartiality. Putting consumers first and being able to recognise the impact of ACMSF advice on the public are also extremely important requirements.
The ACMSF was set up in 1990 and provides expert advice to government on questions relating to microbiological issues and food. The committee provides advice in response to requests from the FSA and also on matters that Committee members themselves identify as important.
It consists of independent experts drawn from a wide range of interests.
It has produced a number of comprehensive scientific reports, prepared by working groups and based on the most up-to-date information available. Agendas of meetings are published in advance on this website and Committee papers and minutes are placed on the website after each meeting.
All of the four meetings held each year are open to the public.
The FSA says that appointments to the ACMSF are made strictly on merit, in accordance with the code of practice for ministerial appointments to public bodies issued by the office of the commissioner for public appointments. Selection will also reflect the government's Equal Opportunities policy.
