The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is a regulatory agency charged with protecting public health. Its primary function is to issue permits, warnings, and to test a wide range of food, drugs and related products which can endanger the citizens' health. The agency also conducts criminal investigations for federal prosecution. 

In 1848, the federal government began monitoring the safety of agricultural products using chemical analysis, and the modern FDA is as much a research institution as it is a regulatory agency. It has seven well-known research centers: 

• Food Safety & Nutrition
• Drug Evaluation & Research (CDER)
• Oncology Best Practices (OCE)
• Biologics Evaluation & Research (including vaccines)
• Medical Devices (CDRH)
• Tobacco Products
• Veterinary Medicine

The FDA also produces and distributes an enormous variety and volume of information. Examples include: 

• MedWatch publishes health safety alerts for drugs, devices, nutritional products, cosmetics and more.
  
• Consumer Updates helps the FDA share their scientific analyses and discoveries. 
• The "Orange Book" details drug safety and effectiveness for healthcare professions. 
• FoodSHIELD distributes food-safety training and information to state and local agencies. 
• The Patients: Ask FDA program allows patients and caregivers to get a personal response to their questions, and even request a meeting with the FDA.