Which agency is responsible for regulating shelled mollusks in the United States?

The responsibility for regulating shelled mollusks in the United States falls under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and proper labeling of food products, which includes seafood such as clams, oysters, and other shellfish. The agency enforces standards pertaining to the harvesting, handling, and processing of these mollusks to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with contaminated shellfish.

The FDA has established the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) to monitor and regulate the shellfish industry, ensuring that mollusks are harvested from approved waters and are processed in sanitary conditions. This framework helps protect consumer health and maintain the integrity of shellfish markets.

In comparison, other agencies mentioned do not have this specific focus. The U.S Department of Agriculture mainly oversees the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products, while the Environmental Protection Agency regulates environmental standards that could affect food safety indirectly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plays a role in public health and disease prevention but does not specifically manage food regulation or safety standards for shellfish.