American Gov3 - Research Paper Example

THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION Number and School The Food and Drug Administration, referred to more commonly as the FDA, is an agency within the federal bureaucracy which falls under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This agency is responsible for ensuring public health by ensuring the safety of substances that are ingested, injected, or otherwise in contact with citizens during daily life, such as foods, medicines, and other biological substances, such as vaccines and medical devices1.

The FDA ensures that these products whether released by government agencies or private companies, are properly tested and proven safe, as well as sanitary and labeled properly before released for consumption. These duties and responsibilities extend to all fifty states and other lands under U.S. supervision, such as Puerto Rico2. In addition to this, the FDA is responsible for various regulatory functions, such as monitoring and controlling electronic product radiation and tobacco products. This agency promotes public health by maintaining and releasing current information, based on scientific study and testing, on the various products and substances under its domain, so that citizen consumers have accurate information with which to improve their health.

In addition, the FDA promotes the advancement of public health by safely and effectively speeding innovations within affected industries3.As the FDA is required to maintain certain safety standards in each are under its supervision, it can often come under pressure by government officials, corporations, and private businesses. The speed and efficiency of testing, the amount of regulation required in term so proper labeling, and other aspects of product regulation may be viewed as too harsh or too lenient by various standards.

As a result, the agency is under constant pressure from producers and consumers alike4.References:“About FDA”. fda.gov. November, 2011. Retrieved April 13 2012: http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm192695.htm