Meat Inspection Act

This is the meatpacking inspection stamp that was required as a result of the Meat Inspection Act

This is the article that writes about the Meat Inspection Bill as it moved through the Senate

This article references a company impacted by the Meat Inspection Act

     The Meat Inspection bill passed through the Senate quickly with no debate or division and bipartisan support. It called for an inspection at every meatpacking factory in the United States to ensure consistent standards to protect public health. In a special to the New York Times, the article specifically states, ¹ Its passage is the direct consequence of the disclosures made in Upton Sinclair’s novel, “The Jungle.” ¹ It was clear the amendment was drawn out with deliberate care after President Roosevelt’s meeting with Upton Sinclair. The article states, ¹ The President saw that he was dealing with a man who knew what he was talking about, and he told Labor Commissioner Neil and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Reynolds to go to Chicago and make an investigation. They did so and it is said that they found Sinclair had not exaggerated the actual conditions. ¹This ultimately suggests that the connection between "The Jungle" and the important legislation of that time is more than just a mere coincidence - it is confirmed that the book served as a catalyst for significant legislation to be enacted. 

        Companies were instantly impacted by this Act and their compliance was non-negotiable. For instance, Armour and Company states in the New York Times, ² The law is diametrically opposed to the broad foundation the rather built for our commerce, and at the same time it produces a most undesirable state of affairs. It has reacted to the people. Today better beef can be bought across the bar in Wisconsin than in Duluth at a smaller price than is paid here. ² From all this evidence, it can be concluded that the efforts of muckrakers had an explicit influence on the passing of laws insofar as people became more conscious of capitalist conditions. Reform was at the core of the Progressive Era, and the concept of a representative democracy was becoming increasingly tangible with each reform.

¹ Special to The New York Times. “MEAT INSPECTION BILL PASSES THE SENATE: Added Without Debate to Agricultural Bill as a Rider. ITS ADOPTION UNEXPECTED Direct Consequence of the Disclosures Made in Upton Sinclair's Novel, "The Jungle." MEAT INSPECTION BILL PASSES THE SENATE” New York Times (1857-1922); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 26 May 1906: 1.

² New York Times (1857-1922). “THE MEAT INSPECTION LAW.: ITS CONSTITUTIONALITY TO BE TESTED BY THE ARMOURS” New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 12 May 1889: 1.

³ Tabor. “Federal Meat Inspection Act Area” Clean PNG