Under which act are pesticide tolerances for food products established?

The establishment of pesticide tolerances for food products is governed by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). This act provides the legal framework for regulating the safety of food and beverages, including the permissible levels of pesticide residues on food. It mandates that any pesticide used on food products must have residue levels that are considered safe for human consumption, which are determined through extensive risk assessment processes.

The FFDCA works in conjunction with other acts, such as the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which regulates the registration and use of pesticides, but it is the FFDCA specifically that addresses the tolerances for pesticide residues in food. This regulation ensures that consumers are protected from harmful levels of pesticides, fostering a safe food supply.

Understanding this distinction is vital for home inspectors and individuals involved in pest management, as they must be aware of the regulations that safeguard public health concerning pesticide use in agriculture and food production.