Sanitation Certification Practice Test

What authority does the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have?

1. Regulates all food within state borders

2. Oversees food safety in the local context

3. Inspects and regulates all meat, poultry, and eggs

4. Provides financial support to farmers

The correct answer is: Inspects and regulates all meat, poultry, and eggs

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is tasked with inspecting and regulating all meat, poultry, and eggs to ensure they meet safety and health standards. This includes the responsibility for enforcing laws related to food safety, quality assurance, and humane handling of animals, helping to protect consumers from unsafe food products. The USDA plays a vital role in the food supply chain, monitoring processing plants, conducting inspections before and after products are packaged, and ensuring that labeling practices meet regulatory requirements. By fulfilling these functions, the USDA helps maintain public health and safety regarding a significant portion of the food people consume. While other options touch on aspects of the USDA's roles, they do not reflect its core function regarding meat, poultry, and eggs, which is fundamental to its mission in food safety oversight.