Which agency is primarily responsible for regulating food safety at food establishments?

The agency primarily responsible for regulating food safety at food establishments is the State and Local Departments of Health. These departments enforce food safety laws and regulations at the local level, conducting inspections of restaurants, food processing plants, and other food-related businesses to ensure compliance with safety standards. They also provide education and training to food service workers to promote safe food handling practices. While federal agencies like the CDC and the Federal Department of Health play crucial roles in public health and food safety initiatives, it is the state and local departments that directly oversee food establishments and enforce regulations within their jurisdictions. HACCP, on the other hand, is a systematic approach to food safety that focuses on identifying and controlling hazards throughout the food production process but does not serve as a regulatory agency.