Under which U.S. federal department does the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) operate?
Answer
Department of Health and Human Services
The operational structure of the Food and Drug Administration places it directly under the umbrella of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS is the principal agency responsible for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Within this framework, the FDA functions as the cornerstone agency tasked with ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of regulated products, including drugs, medical devices, and the nation's food supply, acting as a critical operational component of the larger HHS mission.

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