Which federal agency sets food tolerances for pesticides?

The correct answer is the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. The EPA is responsible for establishing and enforcing regulations and guidelines related to the use of pesticides in the United States. One of their key roles is to set tolerances, which are the maximum allowable levels of pesticide residues that can be present on food and animal feed. This is crucial for ensuring the safety of the food supply and protecting public health.

The FDA, or Food and Drug Administration, primarily focuses on the safety and regulation of food products but does not set the tolerances for pesticide residues; rather, it enforces the tolerances established by the EPA. The USDA, or United States Department of Agriculture, deals with agricultural production and food safety but does not have the authority to set pesticide tolerances. The CDC, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is primarily concerned with public health and disease prevention, rather than the regulation of pesticides. Thus, the determination of food tolerances for pesticides is firmly within the jurisdiction of the EPA.