What is the primary role of the Food and Drug Administration in the United States?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) serves as the regulatory body for various products in the United States, where public safety and medical expertise are meant to be the driving mission. According to Ari Melber, the FDA oversees numerous items with one common factor - they require regulation to ensure consumer protection and public health standards are maintained. The stakes of this regulatory work are significant, as the FDA's oversight impacts prescription drugs, food products, and other consumables that directly affect Americans' wellbeing. This regulatory function becomes especially crucial in the context of potential government cuts that might undermine the FDA's ability to fulfill its public safety mission effectively.