Food and Drug Administration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the federal agency that is responsible for insuring the safety of a variety of products before they reach the consumer. The agency regulates food, drugs, medical devices, biologics, animal feed and drugs, cosmetics, radiation-emitting products, and combination products. The official mission of the agency is to be responsible protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security in those products that it monitors. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.