Ad hoc and working groups terms of reference
Published 24 December 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/acmsf-subgroup-terms-of-references/ad-hoc-and-working-groups-terms-of-reference
Background on ad hoc and working groups
As well as the full Committee, which meets 3 times a year, the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) has a number of smaller groups which meet to discuss specific topics in greater depth. Groups can be set up either by request from high level e.g. Food Standards Agency (FSA) Board, FSA (Food Policy) or self-tasked by the Committee. The process of setting up subgroups now involves input and dialogue with policy to taking account of the risk analysis guidelines. These Groups contain a proportion of ACMSF members but are commonly also supplemented, as necessary, by external expertise in the particular subject being considered. The subgroups may meet as often as 6 times a year. A subgroup could be setup as an ad hoc, fixed term or Working Group. The terms of reference for these groups are decided by the Committee and the group members.
Ad hoc Groups are established to make assessments of particular issues or discuss/review topical issues and advise the main Committee or the FSA on the possible need for further action.
Fixed term groups are established to make assessments of particular issues and advise the main Committee or the FSA on the possible need for further action. They meet regularly over a short time, prepare a report which is endorsed by the main committee.
Working groups are long term groups (not time limited) which are convened whenever there is new business for them to discuss. They meet as the need arises. It is a forum for keeping up to date with current issues or tackling a specific issue within their remit. ACMSF currently has 4 Working Groups on the following subjects: listeria, regulated products, food incidents and surveillance.
Reports produced by subgroups are available at the outputs page.