Which agency is responsible for inspecting and grading domestic and imported food and food products derived from domesticated animals?

The USDA, or the United States Department of Agriculture, is the agency responsible for inspecting and grading domestic and imported food as well as food products derived from domesticated animals. This includes overseeing the safety and quality of meat, poultry, and dairy products. The USDA sets standards to ensure that these food products are safe for consumers and accurately labeled, playing a crucial role in food safety regulations.

The FDA, while also focused on food safety, primarily oversees food products other than meat, poultry, and certain egg products. The CDC, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monitors foodborne illness outbreaks and helps inform the public about safe food handling practices, but it does not inspect or grade food products. The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, is involved in regulating environmental factors, including pesticides, but does not handle food inspection directly. Therefore, the USDA is uniquely positioned to manage the inspection and grading processes for food and animal products.