Which federal agency maintains surveillance for foodborne illness outbreaks that informs public health actions?

• A. FDA
• B. USDA
• C. CDC
• D. FTC

Answer: (C)

Tracking and guiding responses to foodborne illness outbreaks is a primary function of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC runs national surveillance systems, analyzes outbreak data, and coordinates with state and local health departments to detect clusters, investigate causes, and inform public health actions such as advisories, recalls, and prevention efforts. The FDA regulates food safety standards and production practices for most foods, the USDA oversees meat, poultry, and some processed products, and the FTC handles consumer protection. Because the CDC’s role centers on surveillance and using that information to protect public health, it is the agency responsible for maintaining surveillance that informs public health actions.