What role does the USDA play in food safety?

The role of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) in food safety is primarily focused on ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of meat, poultry, and egg products. This responsibility includes regulating these specific food categories to ensure they are produced, processed, and shipped according to safety standards that protect public health. The USDA implements various programs and inspections aimed at preventing foodborne illnesses associated with these products.

Other options include broader or different responsibilities that fall under other agencies. For example, while grocery products and various food items are regulated, the USDA does not oversee all food items sold in grocery stores. Instead, this responsibility may be shared with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for items like dairy and seafood. Likewise, oversight of dairy products is also typically managed by state agencies with federal guidance rather than the USDA itself. Furthermore, restaurant inspections are conducted primarily by local and state health departments rather than by the USDA.