Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing food tolerances for pesticides?

The correct answer is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is the federal agency tasked with regulating the use of pesticides and establishing food tolerances for pesticide residues on food products. These tolerances set limits on the amount of pesticide residue that is legally permitted on food items to ensure they are safe for consumption.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a significant role in ensuring food safety and overseeing the labeling and safety of food products, it does not set the tolerances for pesticide residues. Instead, it relies on the tolerances established by the EPA. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) primarily focuses on agriculture and farming practices, and while it has some connection to food safety, it does not directly enforce pesticide tolerances. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is primarily concerned with public health and disease prevention, not the regulation of pesticides in food.