Which organization is primarily responsible for regulating food and drug safety in the United States?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the organization primarily responsible for regulating food and drug safety in the United States. Its core mission is to ensure the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines, biologics, and our nation’s food supply. The FDA accomplishes this through a rigorous process of evaluating products before they reach the market, conducting inspections, and monitoring post-market safety. This includes approving new drugs, ensuring labeling accuracy, and setting standards for food production.

In contrast, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services focuses on administering the nation’s major healthcare programs and is not involved in food and drug regulation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is concerned with ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for workers, emphasizing workplace safety standards rather than food and drug safety. Lastly, the National Institutes of Health primarily conducts and supports medical research, rather than regulating food and drugs. Hence, the FDA’s unique role as a regulatory body makes it the correct choice for this question.