In addition to federal agencies like the FDA and USDA, there are also state and local health departments that play a role in monitoring food safety within the United States. These agencies conduct regular inspections of food establishments, such as restaurants, grocery stores, and food processing facilities, to ensure that proper sanitation practices are being followed and that food products are being handled and prepared safely. In cases where potential foodborne illnesses are suspected, these agencies also investigate outbreaks and work to trace the source of contamination to prevent further spread.
Furthermore, the United States has implemented various food safety regulations and programs to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and protect public health. For example, the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) aims to shift the focus from responding to foodborne illness outbreaks to preventing them from happening in the first place. This legislation requires food producers and processors to implement preventative controls, such as hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls, to identify and address potential food safety hazards throughout the food supply chain. By taking a proactive approach to food safety, the United States is working to ensure that consumers can have confidence in the safety and quality of the food they eat.