Which act governs the establishment of pesticide tolerances for food and feed products?

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) is the primary legislation that governs the establishment of pesticide tolerances for food and feed products. This act provides the framework for the regulation of substances added to food, ensuring that they do not pose a risk to public health. Specifically, the FFDCA mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set tolerances—maximum allowable levels of pesticide residues—on food commodities to protect consumers and ensure food safety.

The FFDCA was designed to ensure that food is safe for consumption, and it works in conjunction with other laws and regulations to manage the use of pesticides effectively. By establishing tolerances, the FFDCA helps to minimize exposure to potentially harmful substances while allowing for the use of pesticides to enhance agricultural productivity.

Other options, while related, do not specifically address the legal framework for establishing tolerances for pesticide residues in food products. For instance, the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) amended the FFDCA and added some requirements to strengthen protections, but it does not serve as the original governing act for tolerances. The Pesticide Control Act relates more broadly to the regulation of pesticide use rather than specifically to food tolerances. The Environmental Protection Act, while it establishes