Food Law and Regulations

Introduction to food law and regulatory agencies, including international, federal, state and local regulations. Understanding of food labeling, packaging, advertising, and marketing laws.

What is the role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?

"The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of various products such as food safety, tobacco products, pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, animal foods & feed, and veterinary products."

What laws does the FDA enforce?

"The FDA's primary focus is the enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C), along with other laws such as Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act."

Who appoints the Commissioner of Food and Drugs?

"The Commissioner of Food and Drugs is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate."

Who does the Commissioner of Food and Drugs report to?

"The Commissioner reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services."

Where is the FDA's headquarters located?

"The FDA has its headquarters in unincorporated White Oak, Maryland."

How many field offices and laboratories does the FDA have?

"The agency has 223 field offices and 13 laboratories located throughout the 50 states, the United States Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico."

What types of products are regulated by the FDA?

"The FDA regulates a wide range of products including food safety, tobacco products, caffeine products, dietary supplements, pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices, cosmetics, and more."

Does the FDA have authority over disease control?

"Much of this regulatory-enforcement work is not directly related to food or drugs, but involves control of disease in contexts varying from household pets to human sperm donated for use in assisted reproduction."

Which specific products are regulated by Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act?

"[The FDA] also enforces other laws, notably Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act, as well as associated regulations." (Note: The specific products regulated by Section 361 are not mentioned in the given paragraph.)

Has the FDA expanded its presence internationally?

"In 2008, the FDA began to post employees to foreign countries, including China, India, Costa Rica, Chile, Belgium, and the United Kingdom."

What is the primary focus of the FDA's enforcement efforts?

"The FDA's primary focus is enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C)."

Does the FDA regulate the safety of medical devices?

"Yes, the FDA is responsible for the control and supervision of medical devices."

Which department is the FDA a part of?

"The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services."

What types of products are considered biopharmaceuticals?

"The FDA is responsible for the control and supervision of biopharmaceuticals."

Does the FDA regulate blood transfusions?

"Yes, the FDA is responsible for the control and supervision of blood transfusions."

What is the FDA's jurisdiction in animal-related products?

"The FDA controls and supervises animal foods & feed as well as veterinary products."

How many laboratories does the FDA have?

"The agency has 13 laboratories located throughout the 50 states, the United States Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico."

Are dietary supplements under the FDA's control and supervision?

"Yes, the FDA is responsible for the control and supervision of dietary supplements."

Does the FDA regulate the safety of vaccines?

"Yes, the FDA is responsible for the control and supervision of vaccines."

Where are some of the foreign countries where the FDA has posted employees?

"Foreign countries where the FDA has posted employees include China, India, Costa Rica, Chile, Belgium, and the United Kingdom."