New reform
The Progressive Era was at its height in the early 1900’s. Americans had enough of big factories making
American and immigrant workers economic slaves.
Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle brought it all to a head. Not only did his book bring to light the
mistreatment of meat packing employees, but how the food was mishandled. Even Americans that were not interested
politics were interested in their food.
They could not “stomach” how businesses were operating. This became a turning point in history. Americans demanded reform to stop the labor
abuse, political corruption and lack of safe work environments.
Only weeks after the book was released government inspectors took their first
look. It only took five months from the day the book was published until the
the first two laws were passed.
Pure Food Act June 1906
The law prohibited the sell of contaminated, diseased or spoiled food with the United States and to foreign countries.
Federal Meat Inspection Act 1906
The first governmental regulation established for the meat, poultry and egg industry. This law set standard for inspecting all meat processing plants.
Only weeks after the book was released government inspectors took their first
look. It only took five months from the day the book was published until the
the first two laws were passed.
Pure Food Act June 1906
The law prohibited the sell of contaminated, diseased or spoiled food with the United States and to foreign countries.
Federal Meat Inspection Act 1906
The first governmental regulation established for the meat, poultry and egg industry. This law set standard for inspecting all meat processing plants.