Role of FDA, Research Proposal Example

One constant factor that characterizes life is food and nutrition. Everyday people are involved in trade in an attempt to buy food products that foster their survival and proper health standards. It is also certain that remarkably few people take a stop to consider the safety of the food products they purchase from various dealers. The assumption is that all foodstuffs in a market are appropriate for human use. However, the reality of the matter is that the food security in terms of supply and health is under the control of several agencies. The agencies act as undercover ensuring that sufficient food supply with superb quality is available in the market. In this study, such agency, the FDA is considered. The primary focus is on its role as a regulator of food available in the American society. In addition, strategies used to perform this role are explored.

Food and Drug Administration, abbreviated as FDA, is an agency of the US Department of HHS. It is charged with the duty of safeguarding the health of the public. This is done by ensuring safety, efficiency, and safety of organic foodstuffs, medical devices, nation’s food supplies, cosmetic and drugs meant for human and non-human animal consumption.

FDA further plays a pivotal role in the advancement of the public health by expeditiously promoting innovations. Such innovations are tailored to increase the safety of medicines as well as making them effective. It also assists the public access accurate information, which is based on science and information and which is handy as regards to the use of medicine and foods. This helps the society to maintain and even improve their health. In addition, this agency has the responsibility of controlling the manufacturing, marketing, and the distribution of tobacco products. The primary aim of this duty is to protect or rather discourage the minors from consuming such products, which are harmful to their health (Williams 88).

Lastly, as regards to roles, FDA is indispensable in safeguarding the Nation from acts of counterterrorism. It carries out this duty by ensuring the security of food supply as well as by encouraging the development of medical products. This is in response to both natural and intentional threats to the public health.

FDA accomplishes its roles through various and branches strategies. The CFSAN is one case example of a branch of this agency. It is charged with the responsibility of ensuring safe and accurate labeling of almost all food products consumed in the US. This role is critical as it protects consumers from business malpractices, which include misleading description of the contents in a given food product. This role is achieved by setting obligations for food branding of the majority of the foodstuffs consumed in the US. It is worth noting that this food and nutrition labeling are part of Code of Federal Regulations.

CFSAN is further charged with the duty of coming up with food standards as well as maintaining them. A case in point is the standard of identity that describes the minimum requirements that a given product should attain before being classified under a defined food category. This also includes setting standards indicating the possible and allowable contamination in food.

Works Cited

About FDA. Retrieved from: http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm195786.htm

Williams, Llewellyn, et al. Aquatic Toxicology and Risk Assessment. New York, NY: ASTM International, 1988. Print.