Which agency regulates the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides used in food production?

• A. FDA
• B. CDC
• C. Environmental Protection Agency
• D. Food and Nutrition Service

Answer: (C)

The main idea is who is responsible for approving and controlling how pesticides are used on crops. The Environmental Protection Agency handles this by registering pesticides under FIFRA, which involves evaluating health and environmental risks, approving specific uses, and requiring product labeling with safe-use instructions. In short, EPA sets the rules on how pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides can be used in food production and enforces those rules to protect people and the environment. FDA works to enforce safety and tolerances for pesticide residues in foods, but the actual regulation of how pesticides are used is EPA’s job. CDC does not regulate pesticide use, and the Food and Nutrition Service does not deal with chemical regulations. Therefore, the Environmental Protection Agency is the correct regulator.