Whether you know it or not, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) plays a significant role in keeping you and your family safe from harm every day. A federal agency that is a part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the FDA is in charge of making sure that a number of consumer products are safe for consumption and are not a threat to public health or public safety. More specifically, the FDA is in charge of testing and regulating foods, drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, vaccines, medical devices, make-up and cosmetics, and veterinary drugs and devices.

When a new drug or other product enters the market, the FDA will test and analyze the product to ensure that it is safe for the public to purchase and use. If the drug or other item is found to be dangerous, the FDA will block its introduction into the market. If a drug or other product is found to be dangerous after it is on the market, the FDA can recall the product or issue a number of different warnings about the product.

Recently, the FDA has come under fire from a number of critics who claim that the agency is deficient in keeping Americans safe from harmful products. In fact, in 2006, the Institute of medicine found that the FDA lacked funding and regulatory powers - both of which are needed in order to protect Americans from faulty devices or unsafe products.

Just because the FDA approves a drug, food, or supplement does not mean that it is safe for use. In fact, FDA-approved products, drugs, and devices are recalled on a fairly regular basis - and even more FDA-approved products have warnings issued against them after being released to the public.