Structural Pest Control Applicator Practice Exam

Which federal agency sets food tolerances for pesticides?

1. EPA

2. FDA

3. USDA

4. CDC

The correct answer is: EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency responsible for setting food tolerances for pesticides. This authority is established under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). The EPA evaluates pesticide residues on food products and determines safe levels, known as tolerances, ensuring that the amounts present do not pose a risk to human health. This regulatory role is critical for public health and safety, as it helps to ensure that agricultural products are safe for consumption. The other agencies mentioned focus on different aspects of food safety and agriculture. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety and labeling of food products and sometimes gets involved in pesticide issues, but it does not set tolerances per se. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) deals with agricultural policies and inspection but is not the primary agency for pesticide tolerances. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on public health safety and disease control, not agricultural pesticide regulation.