Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) Practice Exam

Which organization is responsible for issuing food safety standards in the United States?

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

2. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

3. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

4. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The correct answer is: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the organization responsible for issuing food safety standards in the United States. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that food products are safe and regulated, overseeing food labeling, and establishing guidelines for food safety practices. The FDA's regulations cover a wide range of food items, including retail food establishments and packaged foods, and it enforces safety standards to prevent foodborne illnesses. While the other organizations listed have important roles in the realm of public health and safety, their functions differ from that of the FDA. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) primarily focuses on monitoring and controlling disease outbreaks, including those related to foodborne illnesses, rather than directly issuing food safety standards. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) does oversee certain aspects of food safety, particularly in meat, poultry, and certain egg products, but their scope is more specific compared to the broader responsibilities of the FDA. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticides used on food crops and ensures that these chemicals do not pose risks to human health and the environment, but it does not directly issue food safety standards. Thus, the FDA stands out as the primary agency for establishing and enforcing comprehensive food safety standards in the U.S