Food and Drug Administration

Definition FDA. The FDA is an organization in the federal government responsible for protecting public health by assuring the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices, and the safety of cosmetics, dietary supplements, and the food supply. FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering conventional foods and drug products (prescription and over-the-counter). The dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed. FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. Generally, manufacturers do not need to get FDA approval before producing or selling dietary supplements.
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