Legal Definitions - Food and Drug Administration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a part of the U.S. Public Health Service in the Department of Health and Human Services. Its main job is to make sure that:

• Food is safe, pure, and healthy to eat
• Drugs, medical devices, and biological products are safe and effective for humans and animals
• Other products, like electronic devices that emit radiation, are safe

The FDA was created in 1906 by the Pure Food and Drug Act. Today, it enforces the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 and other related laws and regulations.

For example, the FDA might test a new drug to make sure it's safe and effective before allowing it to be sold to the public. Or, they might inspect a food processing plant to make sure the food being produced is safe to eat.