From Tainted to Trusted: Food Safety In The U.S. Has Come A Long Way

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the American food landscape was fraught with dangers. Without federal regulations, consumers often encountered products mixed (better yet, “contaminated”) with harmful substances like formaldehyde, borax, and even brick dust. Milk, a staple in many households, was sometimes preserved with chemicals more suited for embalming than consumption.

The establishment of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1906 marked a pivotal shift toward safeguarding public health. Over the decades, the FDA has implemented rigorous standards, ensuring that food products are accurately labeled, free from harmful contaminants, and produced under sanitary conditions. Advancements such as pasteurization, standardized inspections, and clear labeling have become integral to the food industry.

In 1906, Congress passed both the Meat Inspection Act and the Food and Drug Act (colloquially known as “Wiley’s Law”). Later, the Food and Drug Act would be replaced by the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics act of 1938, which has been extensively revised and updated since. From these laws, the modern USDA– responsible for regulating meat and poultry products– and FDA, responsible for all other foods and pharmaceuticals, emerged.

Today, the food we eat is safer, cleaner, and more carefully regulated than ever before. Thanks to decades of progress in science, oversight, and public policy, harmful ingredients and unsanitary practices are largely a thing of the past. Modern systems of inspection, labeling, and traceability make it easier to catch problems early and protect public health. While food safety remains a constant responsibility, the improvements over the last century show just how far we've come—and how much we can achieve when innovation and regulation work together.

Intertek is a world leader in providing testing and analysis services to the global food industry. We have laboratories around the world to help ensure the safety and quality of the entire supply chain, from farm to fork. For more information visit https://www.intertek.com/food.