What is the role of the EPA in food safety, particularly with pesticide residues?

• A. EPA sets tolerances for pesticide residues; FDA/FSIS enforce compliance; residue monitoring is shared across agencies
• B. FDA sets tolerances for pesticide residues; EPA enforces compliance; residue monitoring is limited to EPA
• C. USDA sets tolerances for pesticide residues; FDA monitors compliance
• D. CDC sets tolerances for pesticide residues; FSIS enforces compliance with FDA support

Answer: (A)

Pesticide tolerances in food are set by the Environmental Protection Agency after careful risk assessment, determining the maximum legal residue that may be present on foods. Once these tolerances are established, enforcement falls to the FDA for most foods and to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service for meat, poultry, and processed products. Residue monitoring is a shared effort across agencies, with FDA, USDA, and EPA all involved in surveillance and compliance activities.

The other options misassign who sets tolerances (they are not set by FDA, USDA, or CDC) and suggest monitoring is handled only by one agency, which isn’t the case.