Final answer:
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates and inspects meats and poultry, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety of shell eggs. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ensures the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products, and both the Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 established federal standards for food safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The authority that regulates and inspects meats, poultry, and eggs in the United States is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.
The FSIS enforces laws to ensure the purity, effectiveness, and truthful labeling of these foods. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety of shell eggs, ensuring they are safe to eat, while the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) at the USDA grades and certifies the quality of shell eggs.
In 1906, the federal government began regulating the meatpacking industry with the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, the latter of which led to the creation of the FDA. These acts were inspired by muckraking exposés and addressed concerns about the sanitation and safety of consumer products, particularly establishing federal standards for the inspection and processing of meats destined for human consumption.