Final answer:
The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is the government agency responsible for meat and poultry inspections, ensuring food safety and sanitation in the supply chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The government agency responsible for the inspections of meat and poultry is the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). This agency is tasked with enforcing safety regulations in food production, including setting and maintaining hygiene standards, ensuring sanitary conditions in food processing and slaughter facilities, and the traceability of food from its source to processing. The USDA works alongside the FDA and other government agencies to protect public health and prevent foodborne diseases by regulating the food supply chain. The USDA oversees the safety and quality of meat and poultry products in the United States. They set regulations and standards for food production, ensure compliance with these standards, and conduct inspections to verify that meat and poultry products are safe for consumption.