Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Definition

The FDA is a federal agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

Analogy

Think of the FDA as a strict school principal. Just like how a principal ensures that all students follow rules to maintain safety in school, the FDA makes sure all food items, drugs and other related products are safe for consumption or use.

Related terms

Regulatory Agency: A government body responsible for controlling certain activities within society. They create standards or guidelines that industries must follow to ensure public safety.

Public Health: This refers to the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities through education/promotion of healthy lifestyles, research for disease/injury prevention etc.

Consumer Protection Laws: These laws are designed to prevent businesses from engaging in fraud or unfair practices to gain an advantage over competitors or mislead consumers.