Which agency regulates color additives and packaging materials that contact food?

• A. EPA regulates
• B. USDA regulates
• C. CDC regulates
• D. FDA regulates color additives and packaging materials that contact food.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is identifying which agency oversees safety and approvals for substances that come into contact with food, including color additives and packaging materials. The FDA is the one responsible for regulating color additives used in foods and for evaluating and controlling food-contact substances—materials that may migrate into food from packaging. This means color additives must be approved for their intended use, and packaging materials are assessed to ensure they do not release harmful substances into food.

Other agencies have roles in food safety, but not this specific regulation. The EPA handles pesticides and environmental risks; the USDA oversees meat, poultry, and certain other foods but not the general regulation of color additives or most food-contact materials; the CDC focuses on public health surveillance and disease prevention rather than approving additives or packaging for foods.