Which organization is responsible for inspecting food establishments in New York City?

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is the appropriate organization tasked with inspecting food establishments within the city. This department's role includes ensuring that all restaurants, food carts, and other food service entities adhere to health and sanitation codes. They carry out inspections to assess compliance with food safety regulations, which is crucial for protecting public health.

The focus of the department encompasses a variety of responsibilities related to public health, including monitoring the safety of food service operations and preventing foodborne illnesses. Their inspections are vital in enforcing standards that affect the quality and safety of food served to the public.

Other organizations mentioned, while important in their respective roles, focus on different aspects of food safety. For example, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets primarily oversees agricultural practices, food production, and the state-level regulation of food safety, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration operates on a federal level and deals with nationwide regulations but does not conduct local inspections. The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, on the other hand, has responsibilities that involve consumer protection but do not directly include the health inspection of food establishments. Therefore, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is the correct choice given its specialized mission within the context of public health and food safety oversight