Which federal agency is responsible for regulating cosmetics in the retail market?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the federal agency responsible for regulating cosmetics in the retail market. This includes overseeing the safety and labeling of cosmetics to ensure they meet established standards. The FDA has the authority to take action against unsafe cosmetic products and requires that product labels are truthful and not misleading. This regulatory role is crucial for protecting consumers from potentially harmful ingredients or deceptive marketing practices in the cosmetic industry.

In contrast to the FDA, other agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) primarily focus on environmental protection and do not regulate cosmetics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is focused on public health issues and disease prevention, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) generally oversees agricultural products and food safety rather than cosmetics. Thus, the FDA's specific mandate makes it the correct answer in this context.