What agency is responsible for determining if a food or drug is safe and effective for public sale?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency tasked with ensuring that food and drugs are safe and effective for public consumption. Its mission encompasses regulating a wide range of products, which include not only food but also medications, biological products, dietary supplements, and more. Before a new drug or food product can be marketed and sold to the public, it must undergo rigorous testing and meet stringent safety standards set by the FDA. This involves evaluating clinical trial data and ongoing monitoring of products after they are on the market to ensure ongoing safety and effectiveness.

Other agencies mentioned, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have specific roles related to public health, agricultural safety, and environmental protection, respectively. However, none of these agencies have the primary responsibility for the approval of food and drug products for sale to the public like the FDA does.