Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

Which of the following federal agencies was formed as the first attempt to establish consumer protection in the manufacture of drugs and foods?

1. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

2. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

3. FDA (Food and Drug Administration)

4. NIH (National Institutes of Health)

The correct answer is: FDA (Food and Drug Administration)

The correct answer is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA was established to promote and protect public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of food, drugs, and other consumer products. This agency emerged as a response to the growing concerns about foodborne illnesses, unsafe medications, and the need for regulation in the food and drug industries. Its formation marked a significant milestone in consumer protection, allowing for the regulation of the manufacturing processes and marketing of these products to protect public health. The other agencies mentioned focus on different aspects of health and environmental regulation. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) primarily deals with epidemiology and disease control but does not directly regulate food and drug safety. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses on environmental protection and regulating pollutants rather than food and drug safety. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is dedicated to biomedical research and training, and while it plays a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge, it does not have regulatory authority over food and drugs. Thus, the FDA stands out as the pivotal agency in establishing early consumer protections in these domains.