Which government sector is primarily responsible for overseeing meat product safety and handling?

The USDA, or the United States Department of Agriculture, is the primary government sector responsible for overseeing the safety and handling of meat products. This responsibility falls under the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a branch of the USDA, which enforces the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act. These laws mandate that all meat and poultry products are inspected for safety, quality, and labeling before they reach consumers.

The USDA's role includes conducting inspections at processing plants, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and enforcing regulations that prevent contamination and ensure that meat products are processed under sanitary conditions. This oversight is crucial for public health, as it helps to mitigate the risks of foodborne illnesses associated with meat consumption.

Other agencies, while important in their respective domains, do not specifically handle meat product safety in the same way the USDA does. The FDA oversees most food safety regulations, but not for meat and poultry, which are under USDA jurisdiction. The EPA is focused on environmental protection and regulations pertaining to pesticides and pollutants, while OSHA is dedicated to workplace safety regulations. Thus, the USDA is the correct choice for the oversight of meat product safety and handling.