What is the name of the voluntary federal-state program designed to ensure a safe and clean milk supply?

The correct answer, the Interstate Milk Shippers program, is a significant initiative aimed at maintaining the safety and quality of milk and milk products across state lines in the United States. This program was established to facilitate the uniform enforcement of health and safety standards for milk production, processing, and distribution.

The rationale behind this program is rooted in the need for a cohesive approach to food safety - particularly for perishable items like milk that can pose public health risks if not handled properly. By setting a standardized regulatory framework, it ensures that milk producers and processors meet specific safety criteria, thus preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses that can arise from contaminated milk.

In contrast, other options do not represent established programs with the same scope. For example, while the Milk Safety Initiative does focus on promoting safe practices, it is not a formalized federal-state program like the Interstate Milk Shippers. International Milk Standards refer to guidelines that may exist but do not specifically pertain to the federal-state cooperation within the United States. The Safe Milk Certification Program is less recognized and lacks the formal structure that is characteristic of the Interstate Milk Shippers program.