Which act established the FDA?

The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 is the correct answer because it was the first federal law aimed at protecting consumers from unsafe and mislabeled food and drugs. This act laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), although the FDA was officially formed later in 1930. The 1906 act required that all food and drug products be accurately labeled and prohibited the sale of adulterated or misbranded products. The establishment of the FDA itself was largely a response to the need for regulatory oversight initiated by the principles set forth in this act.

While the other acts mentioned had significant implications for food and drug regulation, they came after the Pure Food and Drug Act. The Food Quality Act of 1944 and the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 further expanded the regulatory responsibilities of the FDA, but they were not the founding legislation. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 specifically focused on regulating controlled substances and establishing their scheduling, which is a separate issue from the general regulation of food and drugs.

Thus, the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 is recognized as the pivotal legislation that set in motion the regulatory framework leading to the establishment of the FDA.