Which statement correctly describes the agencies responsible for animal health and food safety in the United States?

• A. USDA APHIS handles all food safety regulation.
• B. FDA is the sole regulator for animal health.
• C. EPA regulates animal disease surveillance.
• D. The combined statement listing USDA APHIS and FSIS for animal health and meat/poultry; FDA CVM and CFSAN for animal drugs, feeds, and foods; EPA for pesticide residues; CDC for outbreak surveillance and public health coordination.

Answer: (D)

Regulation of animal health and food safety in the United States is a collaborative program across several agencies, each with its own focus and authorities. USDA APHIS works to keep animals healthy by preventing disease and regulating movement and prevention of pests that affect livestock. Within USDA, FSIS specifically inspects and ensures the safety of meat and poultry from farm to table. The FDA covers animal medicines and feeds through the Center for Veterinary Medicine, and it also regulates most foods eaten by people through the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. The EPA handles pesticide residues in foods and the environment, while the CDC oversees outbreak surveillance and coordinates public health responses. This combination of agencies reflects the actual regulatory framework, where responsibilities are divided to address different aspects of animal health and food safety rather than being centralized in a single agency.