Which organization is primarily responsible for drug safety and protecting the food supply?

• A. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• B. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• C. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• D. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Answer: (A)

The main idea is understanding which agency regulates the safety of medicines and what people eat. The FDA—the Food and Drug Administration—handles this. It reviews and approves drugs before they’re sold, sets standards for how drugs and food must be produced and labeled, inspects manufacturing facilities, and monitors safety data after products reach the public, including issuing recalls if problems arise. It also oversees many areas related to the safety of the food supply, such as preventing adulteration and ensuring proper handling and labeling. The other agencies have different roles—for example, the FTC focuses on consumer protection in advertising and competition, the EPA handles environmental and pesticide regulations, and the SEC deals with financial markets—so they aren’t primarily responsible for drug safety and food protection.