Which federal law governs the establishment of pesticide tolerances for food and feed products?

• A. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
• B. None of the above
• C. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
• D. Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)

Answer: (A)

Pesticide residue tolerances on food and feed are established under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This statute gives the EPA the authority to set maximum residue limits or exemptions for pesticides in or on foods, ensuring safety standards are met. The process was strengthened by the Food Quality Protection Act, which added stricter safety criteria and broader exposure considerations, but the legal basis for setting tolerances remains the FFDCA. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act governs pesticide registration and labeling, not the tolerances on foods. So the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is the governing law for establishing those tolerances.