Which federal agency sets food tolerances for pesticides?

The correct choice identifies the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the federal agency responsible for establishing food tolerances for pesticides. The EPA plays a crucial role in regulating the application of pesticides and ensuring that they do not pose risks to human health or the environment. When a pesticide is registered for use and proposed for use on food crops, the EPA assesses the potential risks associated with its application. Part of this assessment involves determining acceptable levels of pesticide residues that can remain on food products, known as tolerances. These tolerances help ensure that the food supply remains safe for consumption.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees food safety and may enforce tolerance levels set by the EPA, it does not establish these tolerances. Similarly, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is primarily focused on enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations, and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) deals with agriculture and food inspection but does not set pesticide tolerances. Thus, the EPA is the agency that plays the central role in determining safe levels of pesticide residues that protect public health.