Which agency is tasked with enforcing food tolerances for pesticides?

The correct answer is the FDA, or the Food and Drug Administration, because this agency is specifically responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of food products, including those that may be treated with pesticides. The FDA sets tolerances for pesticide residues on food items, thereby regulating the acceptable levels of pesticides that may remain on food products when they reach consumers. This role is crucial in protecting public health by ensuring that pesticide levels in food are within safe limits for human consumption.

The EPA, while involved in pesticide regulation and registration, primarily focuses on broader environmental impacts and the safety of pesticides in various contexts, including their regulation and oversight. The USDA plays a role in agricultural practices and may be involved in certain aspects of food safety, but it does not specifically enforce food tolerances for pesticides. The Department of Homeland Security, on the other hand, is mainly focused on national security and public safety rather than food safety and pesticide regulation. Thus, the FDA is the agency with the primary responsibility for enforcing food tolerances for pesticides.