What does the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act relate to?

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) is primarily concerned with ensuring the safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics from harmful substances, including pesticide residues. One of its key functions is to establish tolerance levels for pesticide residues in food. This means that the Act sets specific limits on the amount of pesticide residues that can remain on food products to protect consumers from potential health risks.

The regulation of tolerance levels is essential because it permits the use of certain pesticides while ensuring that they do not pose a danger to public health when properly applied. By establishing these limits, the FFDCA helps maintain a balance between agricultural productivity and consumer safety. This function is crucial in ensuring that the food supply remains safe, and that farmers can operate effectively within recognized standards.

While other aspects related to pesticides, such as labeling requirements or their formulation, are covered by different regulations or acts, the primary focus of the FFDCA in this context is on the safety concerning pesticide residues in food products.