Food Safety

Large American meatpackers had been shut out of most European markets because jealous small packinghouses claimed that their elder brother was tainted. At the same time, the American consumers demanded for safer canned products.

Meat Inspection Act of 1906: This decreed that the preparation of meat shipped over state lines would be subject to federal inspection for every food. Large packing industries accepted it as an opportunity to drive out smaller companies while recieving a seal of approval from the government.

Pure Food & Drug Act of 1906: Designed to prevent the adulteration and mislabeling of foods and pharmaceuticals.