Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906

Definition

The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 was a federal law in the United States that aimed to ensure the safety and purity of food and drugs sold to consumers. It required proper labeling of ingredients on products, prohibited misbranding or adulteration, and established the Bureau of Chemistry (later known as the FDA) to enforce these regulations.

Related terms

Meat Inspection Act: This related act passed in 1906 worked alongside the Pure Food and Drug Act by establishing strict sanitary standards for meatpacking plants, ensuring safe meat consumption.

Progressive Era: The period from about 1890 to 1920 characterized by social activism, political reform movements, and government intervention in various aspects of society including consumer protection.

Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle": A novel published in 1906 depicting horrible working conditions in Chicago's meatpacking industry, which helped generate public support for regulations such as the Pure Food and Drug Act.