The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906

Harvey W. Wiley

Department of Agriculture`s chief chemist, who published findings on the widespread use of harmful preservatives in the meat-packing industry

"embalmed beef"

The experience of American soldiers during the Spanish-American War added impetus to the movement

President Theodore Roosevelt

began the process by ensuring the passage of the Meat Inspection Act of 1906, which was followed by the Pure Food and Drug Act, passed in 1906

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

enacted in 1938; was the replacement of the 1906 statute and remains the statutory basis for federal regulation of all foods, drugs, biological products, cosmetics, medical devices, tobacco, and radiation-emitting devices by the U.S. FDA.

Bureau of Chemistry in the U.S. Department of Agriculture

enforcement of the Pure Food and Drug Act was assigned to this agency which was renamed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1930.

Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

exposed the filthy condition of the meat-packing industry;was the final precipitating force behind both a meat inspection law and a comprehensive food and drug law.

Samuel Hopkins Adams

muckraking journalist who exposed in vivid detail the hazards of the marketplace

The muckrakers

successfully heightened public awareness of safety issues stemming from careless food preparation procedures and the increasing incidence of drug addiction from patent medicines

Pure Food and Drug Act

was a key piece of Progressive Era legislation; purpose was to protect the public against adulteration of food and from products identified as healthful without scientific support

Food and Drug Administration

was entrusted with the responsibility of testing all foods and drugs destined for human consumption