In what year were the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act enacted?

• A. 1890
• B. 1906
• C. 1914
• D. 1920

Answer: (B)

These laws show a turning point in the federal role in protecting consumers during the Progressive Era. Both measures were enacted in 1906 as a direct response to public outcry over unsafe food and medicines, sparked by muckraking journalism and sustained reform pressure. The Meat Inspection Act established federal standards and inspections for meatpacking plants to ensure sanitary processing and interstate commerce safety. The Pure Food and Drug Act prohibited adulterated or misbranded foods and medicines and required truthful labeling. Together, they mark a deliberate move to regulate industry for public health and laid the groundwork for the modern regulatory framework, including the later FDA. The other years don’t fit because they correspond to different reforms or events and do not reflect the year these two acts were enacted.