Meat Inspection Act of 1906

305 Words2 Pages
Meat Inspection Act of 1906 Ever thought of eating soup and ending up chewing on rat bones? This was common before The Federal Meat Inspection Act was initiated. In 1906, President Roosevelt urged passing The Meat Inspection Act which involved strict sanitary requirements for meat packers and formed the program of Federal Meat Inspection that was in use until it was changed by more advanced techniques in the 1990s. There were many reasons that led up to the creation of The Meat Inspection Act. One of those reasons would be that President Roosevelt read the novel “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair. The book depicts the horrors of the Chicago meat industry. Another reason is that there were many occurrences of food poisoning resulting in death. The Federal Meat Inspection Act contains many purposes that ensure the health of the consumer. It detects and destroys diseased meat before it gets to the buyer. The act reassures the people of sanitary handling and preventing contamination. It terminates any chemical or drug residue left on the meat before packaging. The meat inspection also avoids any type of false labeling on any products. When the Act was passed, the meat packaging industry had to succumb to continuous inspections and investigations by the Agricultural Department which would be paid for by the meat packaging industry. Furthermore, the Act would require stamps on meat products that were sent to market for public consumption. There have been many amendments created to correspond with enhancements in the meat industry. The Federal Meat Inspection Act was established to warrant the health of American consumers. It abolished any diseased or contaminated meat before the consumer gets it. The Act also required regular check-ups on the meat industry. Overall, The Meat Inspection Act improved health in many Americans and prevented more sickness from
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