Which agency sets tolerance levels for pesticide residues in food?

Which agency sets tolerance levels for pesticide residues in food?

• A. FDA
• B. USDA
• C. EPA
• D. FTC

Answer: (C)

The agency that establishes the legal limits for how much pesticide residue can remain on food is the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA uses scientific risk assessments to set tolerances, the maximum residue levels allowed on each food or animal product, under the authority of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA and USDA are the ones who enforce these limits in the marketplace—FDA oversees most foods sold in stores and processed products, while USDA’s inspectors enforce rules for meat, poultry, and processed eggs. The FTC isn’t involved in setting pesticide tolerances.

The agency that establishes the legal limits for how much pesticide residue can remain on food is the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA uses scientific risk assessments to set tolerances, the maximum residue levels allowed on each food or animal product, under the authority of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA and USDA are the ones who enforce these limits in the marketplace—FDA oversees most foods sold in stores and processed products, while USDA’s inspectors enforce rules for meat, poultry, and processed eggs. The FTC isn’t involved in setting pesticide tolerances.