Which act is responsible for setting tolerances for pesticide residues in food and feed?

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) is the legislation responsible for establishing tolerances for pesticide residues in food and feed. This act provides the framework that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses to evaluate the safety of pesticide residues and to set limits that protect public health. It ensures that the levels of pesticide residues found in foods do not pose a risk to consumers, thereby safeguarding food safety.

In contrast, the other acts mentioned serve different purposes. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) primarily governs the registration, distribution, and labeling of pesticides, focusing on their safe use rather than establishing tolerances for residues. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is designed to protect and recover imperiled species and their habitats, while the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) amends the FFDCA and FIFRA but is more focused on ensuring the safety of pesticide use in terms of health risks and vulnerable populations rather than directly setting the tolerances themselves.