Which governmental agency's data identifies major risk factors for foodborne illness?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the correct choice because it plays a critical role in monitoring and analyzing data related to public health, including foodborne illnesses. The CDC compiles statistics on outbreaks, identifies risk factors associated with foodborne diseases, and conducts research aimed at understanding how these illnesses occur and how they can be prevented. This agency collects data from various sources, including state health departments, to track the incidence of foodborne illnesses and outbreaks, which helps to inform public health interventions and policies.

In contrast, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets regulations for food safety and oversees compliance in the food industry, its primary role is not in identifying risk factors for foodborne illnesses, but rather in establishing safety standards and guidelines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses on environmental health and safety related to pollutants and contaminants, affecting food production indirectly, but it does not primarily address foodborne illnesses. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the safety of meat and poultry products but does not conduct the broad surveillance and epidemiological studies related to foodborne illnesses that the CDC does.