The Meat Inspection Act, enacted in 1906, mandated federal inspection of meat processing facilities that conducted interstate commerce. This legislation stemmed from public outcry over unsanitary conditions and practices within the meatpacking industry, aiming to prevent the sale of adulterated or misbranded meat and ensure hygienic processing.
The acts significance lies in its protection of public health and its establishment of federal oversight over food production. This regulation provided a level of consumer safety that had been previously absent and signaled a broader trend of government intervention in the economy to address social problems and ensure fair practices. Its passage was directly influenced by Upton Sinclair’s novel, “The Jungle,” which exposed the appalling conditions in Chicago’s meatpacking plants. The act promoted greater consumer confidence in the meat supply and fostered a safer food environment.
