The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nations food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing 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.

The FDAs primary focus is enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C), but the agency also enforces other laws, notably Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act, as well as associated regulations. The FDA regulates certain foods, medicines, and medical devices, including the way products are made, and can make sure that these products and manufacturers follow safety laws. When the FDA regulates something, such as medicine, it requires approval before the product goes on the market. They can monitor products to make sure they’re being produced safely and continue to be safe and effective. The FDA can inspect facilities that produce foods and drugs and can take samples to make sure manufacturers and facilities are following the laws.