Which act did Theodore Roosevelt sign into law that regulates the inspection of meat?

• A. Pure Food and Drug Act
• B. Federal Meat Inspection Act
• C. Egg Products Inspection Act
• D. Poultry Products Inspection Act

Answer: (B)

Federal meat inspection was established by a law signed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. This act created mandatory federal inspections of meatpacking plants and set sanitary standards for slaughtering, processing, and handling meat products, especially for products moving across state lines. The goal was to prevent contaminated or diseased meat from entering the market, a response to public outcry after The Jungle’s revelations. The Pure Food and Drug Act deals with labeling and adulteration of foods and drugs in general, not specifically meat inspection. The Egg Products Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act focus on eggs and poultry, respectively. So the act that directly regulates meat inspection is the Federal Meat Inspection Act.