What is the role of the CDC in the context of animal health and food safety?

• A. To monitor and investigate foodborne illness outbreaks, provide public health guidance, and support outbreak response
• B. To manufacture vaccines for livestock
• C. To regulate meat labeling
• D. To inspect poultry plants

Answer: (A)

The CDC’s role in animal health and food safety centers on preventing disease and protecting public health through surveillance, rapid investigation of foodborne illness outbreaks, sharing actionable public health guidance, and coordinating outbreak response with other agencies and state or local health departments. It does not manufacture vaccines for livestock, regulate meat labeling, or inspect poultry plants—those duties belong to other agencies such as USDA entities or FDA. So the described function best aligns with the CDC’s mission of monitoring, guiding, and supporting outbreak response.