In what way is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily involved with chemical compounds?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of food products and pharmaceuticals. One of its primary responsibilities is the oversight of food additives and drugs, which involves evaluating the safety, efficacy, and labeling of a wide range of products before they can be marketed to consumers. This includes assessing new drug applications, ensuring that any substances added to food are safe for consumption, and monitoring adverse effects post-marketing.

The FDA's mission encompasses protecting public health by regulating therapeutic drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as food products that may contain various chemical compounds as additives. This oversight is essential to prevent harmful substances from entering the market and to ensure that food and drugs meet established safety standards.

The other options, while related to public health and safety, fall outside the primary focus of the FDA's responsibilities. For instance, the regulation of pesticides is primarily under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), while new genetic engineering techniques may involve various agencies depending on the context. Research on environmental impacts does not fall under the direct purview of the FDA, which is more focused on health-related regulations concerning food and pharmaceuticals.