[CHAPTER 1].[SECTION A].[FDA DESIGNATION AND LOCATION TIMELINE (FIGURE 1.1)]


  1862  

Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Chemistry Division
In 1862 President Lincoln appoints a chemist by the name of Charles M. Wetherill, to serve in the new Department of Agriculture. This leads to the creation of the Bureau of Chemistry, which was responsible for analyzing samples of foods, soils, fertilizers, and other agricultural substances. The Bureau of Chemistry is considered the original predecessor to the present day Food and Drug Administration.

  1883  

Bureau of Chemistry
In 1883, Dr. Harvey W. Wiley became the chief chemist, and expands the Bureau of Chemistry's food adulteration studies. He is an active campaigner for a federal law to protect the public from adulterated food and drugs. Because of these activities Dr. Wiley is frequently called the "Crusading Chemist" and "Father of the Pure Food and Drugs Act." He retired from government service in 1912 and died in 1930.

  1927  

Bureau of Chemistry
The agency (Bureau of Chemistry) still remained under the Department of Agriculture, but in 1927 this agency was reorganized and separated into two distinct entities.

1. The Food, Drug, and Insecticide Administration
Responsible for the regulatory function.

2. The Bureau of Chemistry and Soils
Responsible for the non-regulatory research.

  1930  

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The Agricultural Appropriations Act shortens the name from Food, Drug, and Insecticide Administration to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The formal name of the present day FDA.

  1940  

Federal Security Agency
The location of the FDA in the federal government was transferred from an agency of the Department of Agriculture to the Federal Security Agency with Walter G. Campbell appointed as the first commissioner of the FDA.

  1953  

Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW)
The Federal Security Agency becomes the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). The FDA is now an agency of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW).

  1968  

Department of Public Health Services
Reorganization of federal health programs places the FDA under the Department of Public Health Services.

  1988  

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

The Food and Drug Administration Act of 1988:
  • Establishes the FDA as an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
  • Designates the appointment of the FDA Commissioner by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
  • Defines the responsibilities of the Secretary and the Commissioner for research, enforcement, education, and information.
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