Food Safety Certification Practice Test

Which legal document does the FDA abide by to protect the food supply?

1. Food Safety Modernization Act

2. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

3. Nutritional Labeling and Education Act

4. Food Quality Protection Act

The correct answer is: Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) serves as the foundational legal framework for the FDA’s regulatory authority over food safety in the United States. This act was initially passed in 1938 and has undergone numerous amendments to adapt to new challenges in food safety, nutrition, and public health. Under the FDCA, the FDA is empowered to monitor and ensure that food is safe, sanitary, and labeled properly. It outlines the standards for food safety, requiring that food products must be produced under sanitary conditions and must not contain harmful substances. Moreover, it provides the FDA with the authority to set regulations regarding food additives, define food standards, and oversee the manufacturing practices of food products. While the other acts listed, such as the Food Safety Modernization Act and the Nutritional Labeling and Education Act, contribute to certain aspects of food safety and public health initiatives, the FDCA is the principal legislation that grants the FDA broad authority to regulate all food and ensure the safety of the food supply. Therefore, it is the key legal document guiding the FDA's mission to protect public health by ensuring the safety of the food supply.