Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) is a U.S. law enacted in 1938 that ensures the safety and efficacy of food, drugs, and cosmetics. It requires that these products be properly labeled and that new pharmaceuticals must be tested for safety before being sold. The law established the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees compliance and regulates product approval. Ultimately, the FDCA aims to protect public health by ensuring that what we consume, use on our skin, or take as medicine is safe and works as intended.