In disease outbreak investigations, which regulatory agencies are responsible?

• A. CDC
• B. FDA
• C. FDA and USDA
• D. EPA

Answer: (C)

Regulatory oversight for foodborne disease outbreaks is handled by the agencies that regulate the foods involved. The FDA oversees most foods—produce, dairy, seafood, and processed products—while the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service regulates meat, poultry, and processed egg products. When an outbreak is suspected, these regulators work with state and local health departments and with the CDC, which leads the epidemiologic investigation and public health coordination. The EPA deals with pesticides and certain environmental health areas, not direct food safety regulation, so it isn’t the primary regulator in most foodborne outbreak investigations. That combination—FDA and USDA—best reflects who oversees regulation in disease outbreak investigations.