ServSafe Manager Practice Exam

Which agency subjects suppliers to food safety inspections?

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

3. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The correct answer is: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the correct answer because it oversees food safety inspections for meat, poultry, and processed egg products. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for ensuring that these products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. This agency conducts regular inspections of food manufacturers and processing plants to verify compliance with federal safety standards, making it a key player in maintaining food safety from supplier to consumer. While the FDA plays an important role in the overall regulation of food safety, primarily for other food products such as dairy, seafood, and produce, the specific focus on meat and poultry inspections falls under the USDA's jurisdiction. The CDC tracks and monitors foodborne illnesses but does not conduct inspections. The EPA is involved more with environmental health and safety issues rather than direct food inspections. Thus, the USDA is indeed the agency that subjects suppliers to food safety inspections specifically for the products it regulates.