Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) Practice Exam 2026 – Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the primary federal agency responsible for overseeing food safety in the United States. Its mission includes ensuring that food products are safe, sanitary, and healthy for consumption. The FDA regulates food labeling, food additives, and oversees the safety of a wide range of food products, including those not regulated by the Department of Agriculture. This comprehensive oversight encompasses foods produced domestically and those imported from abroad, ensuring consistent safety standards across the nation.

While other organizations like the Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) do play essential roles in food safety and public health, their functions differ. For instance, the Department of Agriculture oversees meat, poultry, and certain egg products specifically, while the CDC focuses on monitoring and controlling outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. The EPA regulates pesticides and establishes safety standards for chemicals that can affect food safety, but it does not oversee food safety in the same direct manner as the FDA.