If you’ve ever come across the term FDA Approved written on a company’s website or, say, a beauty commercial promoting a skincare product, you probably found yourself wondering what it really means. First off, you must know what FDA is and what it does. FDA is short for Food and Drug Administration, a government agency that was established back and in 1906 with jurisdiction in the United States. The agency primarily holds responsibility for the protection of public health by guaranteeing the safety of all those products that emit radiation and things like foods and cosmetics. Furthermore, it also aims to ensure the security and efficacy of medical devices, biological products, human drugs, and veterinary drugs.
When a new product, service, or treatment from either of the above-mentioned categories is set out to go on the market, it needs an FDA stamp of approval. These products and items are under the FDA’s regulation, which particularly has to do with safety-related concerns and events.
FDA holds the responsibility for improving and advancing public health in two important ways:
- Speeding up innovations and processes that ensure safer, more effective, and affordable use of medical products.
- Providing the public with science-based, accurate information will help them while consuming foods or using medical products to better their health.
FDA Stamp Of Approval
An FDA stamp of approval applies to particular products and items, but it has quite a broad scope of regulatory authority.
Take a look at the list of product categories that have been traditionally recognized by the FDA, and fall under its regulatory jurisdiction.
However, note that this isn’t a completely exhaustive list.
Foods
- Dietary supplements
- Food additives
- Infant formulas
- Bottled water
- Other food products
Drugs
- Prescription drugs (both generic and brand-name)
- Non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs
Medical Devices
- Simple items like tongue depressors and bedpans
- Surgical implants and prosthetics
- Dental devices
- Complex technologies such as heart pacemakers
Tobacco Products
- Smokeless tobacco
- Cigarettes
- Roll-your-own tobacco
- Cigarette tobacco
Biologics
- Blood and blood products
- Vaccines for humans
- Tissue and tissue products
- Cellular and gene therapy products
- Allergenics
Electronic Products
- Microwave ovens
- Laser products
- X-ray equipment
- Ultrasonic therapy equipment
- Sunlamps
- Mercury vapor lamps
Cosmetics
- Color additives used in makeup and other personal care products
- Skin moisturizers and cleansers
- Nail polish and perfume
Veterinary Products
- Livestock feeds
- Pet foods
- Veterinary drugs and devices
