Which government agency regulates food labels in the United States?

• A. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• B. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• C. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Answer: (A)

In the United States, the agency that regulates most food labels is the FDA. This agency sets the rules for what must appear on packaged foods, including the Nutrition Facts panel, ingredient list, allergen declarations, and serving sizes. These labeling requirements help consumers compare products and make informed choices. For meat, poultry, and certain egg products, labeling is handled by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, which is why those items follow different labeling rules. The FTC isn’t responsible for how foods are labeled (it handles advertising claims), and the CDC focuses on public health rather than label regulation.