“Food,”

agency of the Department of Health and Human Services authorized by Congress to inspect, test, approve, and set safety standards for foods and food additives, drugs, biologics, cosmetics, household and medical devices, veterinary products, tobacco products, and devices that emit radiation. The FDA is empowered to prevent untested products from being sold and to take legal action to halt sale of undoubtedly harmful products or of products which involve a health or safety risk. Through court procedure, the FDA can seize products and prosecute the persons or firms responsible for legal violation. FDA authority is limited to interstate commerce. The agency cannot control prices nor directly regulate advertising except of prescription drugs and medical devices.

prohibited interstate commerce in adulterated food products and hazardous or mislabeled household substances and strengthened the enforcement power of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Act established new consumer product identification and quality standards and expanded the FDA's role in inspecting food and cosmetics and in testing and licensing drugs. It has been amended several times to broaden its coverage, which now includes medical devices, sanitation certification, labeling and anti-tampering requirements, and FDA oversight in drug marketing. These amendments often came in the wake of heavy lobbying, pro and con, by both consumer advocates and industry representatives.