Which agency provides epidemiologic data and outbreak investigations?

• A. Regulate color additives
• B. Inspect meat plants
• C. Provide epidemiologic data and outbreak investigations.
• D. Enforce recall laws

Answer: (C)

Epidemiologic data collection and outbreak investigations are a central function of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC maintains national surveillance systems, analyzes disease trends, and leads investigations whenever clusters of illness are detected, often in collaboration with state and local health departments and laboratories. Through these activities, it identifies sources and transmission pathways, provides timely public health guidance, and supports rapid responses to protect populations. Other options describe regulators or inspectors for specific domains (such as color additives or meat production) or enforcement actions, which are not about epidemiologic data and outbreak investigations. Thus, the agency best suited for providing epidemiologic data and leading outbreak investigations is the CDC.