The events leading to the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906

First Death

Apr 21, 1898

"Soldiers in the Spanish-American War die from eating badly-preserved meat or “embalmed beef.” Two generals later testify before Congress about the scandal." -Library of Congress

The Event Leading to the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906

Period: Apr 21, 1898 to Jun 30, 1906

Children die due to tainted vaccines

Oct 19, 1901

“There I found that the little girl was suffering from tetanus (lockjaw). I could do nothing for her. The poison was injected so thoroughly into her system that she was beyond medical aid.” -Interview with Dr. R. C. Harris

"A group of twelve volunteers, nicknamed the “poison squad,” agree to eat food laced with common preservatives of the time, such as formaldehyde" - Library of Congress

1902

"But before this time—when the U.S. lacked food regulation—you might have been more wary of pouring milk over your morning cereal. Milk could be spiked with formaldehyde, while pepper could contain coconut shells, charred rope or floor sweepings." - Science Friday.com

Upton Sinclair published "The Jungle"

Feb 26, 1906

“The great corporation which employed you lied to you, and lied to the whole country—from top to bottom it was nothing but one gigantic lie.”
― Upton Sinclair, The Jungle

President Theodore Roosevelt signs the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act

Jun 30, 1906

"On this date, the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 (PL 59-384) passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, 240 to 17. Muckraking journalists had long reported on the appallingly unsanitary conditions of the country’s manufacturing plants, especially those in Chicago’s meat-packing industry." - History House.gov