FDA, EPA to Share Data on Pesticides, Toxic Substances

March 17, 2015

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share data on pesticides and toxic substances. This will allow the agencies to more easily share information about risks to the public and the environment.

According to a press release, the FDA and EPA have complementary roles in their regulatory authority for some substances incorporated into food (including animal food and feed), animal drugs and cosmetics. The FDA protects and promotes the public health by enforcing the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and several related public health laws. EPA manages the pesticides and toxic substances programs under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the FD&C Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act.

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a process of disclosure and sharing of their respective databases that will facilitate the decisions of each agency related to food safety, veterinary medicine, and cosmetics, the release said. This data sharing will provide the most up-to-date information and assist in coordinating reviews between agencies. Read the full release