Texas Registered Sanitarian Practice Exam Prep — Practice Test & Study Guide

The term that accurately describes a legal action limiting the movement of goods to protect public health is an embargo. An embargo is implemented by governments to prohibit or restrict trade with specific countries or the exchange of certain products. This measure is often taken in response to health crises, outbreaks of disease, or other public health concerns to prevent the spread of harmful substances or pathogens to the population.

In the context of public health, an embargo can be an essential tool for ensuring that potentially unsafe goods, such as contaminated food or hazardous materials, do not enter the market, thereby safeguarding the health of the community. By halting trade or importation of these goods, an embargo acts as a preventative measure to manage health risks effectively.

Although phrases like cease and desist and regulatory order pertain to restrictions and compliance in broader legal and public policy contexts, they do not specifically denote the action of limiting trade for health protection. Trade restrictions generally refer to policies that can include tariffs, quotas, or other measures but are not solely focused on public health, making embargo the most appropriate and relevant term in this scenario.