What is the role of the USDA in food safety?

The USDA, or United States Department of Agriculture, plays a critical role in ensuring food safety, particularly concerning the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products. This responsibility involves inspecting these food items at various stages of production, processing, and packaging to ensure they meet federal safety standards. The USDA conducts continuous monitoring and verification to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure that these products are safe for public consumption.

The focus of the USDA's food safety efforts is largely on animal-derived products, which require stringent oversight due to the potential for contamination and specific food safety concerns associated with them. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the agency within the USDA specifically tasked with this oversight, which includes enforcement of food safety laws and regulations.

In contrast, options related to the regulation of vegetarian products or the provision of grants to food businesses do not fall under the USDA's purview in terms of food safety; rather, these aspects may be managed by other agencies or organizations. Additionally, setting prices for meat products is not a role of the USDA; this function can be influenced by the market and economic policies rather than direct regulation by the agency. Hence, the USDA's primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products