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Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.
FDA also has responsibility for regulating the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products to protect the public health and to reduce tobacco use by minors.
FDA is responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medical products more effective, safer, and more affordable and by helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medical products and foods to maintain and improve their health.
FDA also plays a significant role in the Nation's counterterrorism capability. FDA fulfills this responsibility by ensuring the security of the food supply and by fostering development of medical products to respond to deliberate and naturally emerging public health threats.
The scope of FDA’s regulatory authority is very broad. FDA's responsibilities are closely related to those of several other government agencies. The following is a list of traditionally-recognized product categories that fall under FDA’s regulatory jurisdiction; however, this is not an exhaustive list.
In general, FDA regulates:
Foods, including:
- dietary supplements
- bottled water
- food additives
- infant formulas
- other food products (although the U.S. Department of Agriculture plays a lead role in regulating aspects of some meat, poultry, and egg products)
Drugs, including:
- prescription drugs (both brand-name and generic)
- non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs
Biologics, including:
- vaccines for humans
- blood and blood products
- cellular and gene therapy products
- tissue and tissue products
- allergenics
Medical Devices, including:
- simple items like tongue depressors and bedpans
- complex technologies such as heart pacemakers
- dental devices
- surgical implants and prosthetics
Electronic Products that give off radiation, including:
- microwave ovens
- x-ray equipment
- laser products
- ultrasonic therapy equipment
- mercury vapor lamps
- sunlamps
Cosmetics, including:
- color additives found in makeup and other personal care products
- skin moisturizers and cleansers
- nail polish and perfume
Veterinary Products, including:
- livestock feeds
- pet foods
- veterinary drugs and devices
Tobacco Products, including:
- cigarettes
- cigarette tobacco
- roll-your-own tobacco
- smokeless tobacco
Source: FDA
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Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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