Final answer:
The USDA inspection mark on pasteurized eggs signifies that the food is safe to consume, as it has been inspected and meets relevant food safety regulations. Agencies such as the CDC and FDA support safety measures like pasteurization and irradiation to ensure public health. Hence, option D is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The USDA inspection mark on pasteurized liquid, frozen, and dehydrated eggs indicates that the food is safe. This safety standard is part of the USDA's oversight to ensure that eggs and egg products are processed in a manner that makes them safe for consumption. Pasteurization is a process of heating food to a specific temperature for a set period to kill harmful microorganisms.
The practice of using irradiation is deemed safe by agencies like the CDC and FDA, and it is a method approved not only in the United States but also in many other countries for various food products, including eggs with shells. While pasteurized eggs are not irradiated, the mention of irradiation standards helps illustrate the kinds of measures that are taken to ensure the safety of food products.
With the USDA mark, consumers can trust that the products have been inspected and meet the necessary food safety regulations. It's important to note that consuming unpasteurized dairy products can be dangerous as they may contain deadly microorganisms.