The Pure Food and Drug Act was a law passed to protect American consumers. Describe and explain at least two practices it sought to correct, the role of muckrakers, and the lasting effect of that law.

The Pure Food and Drug Act, enacted in 1906, aimed to address several unethical practices in the food and pharmaceutical industries. One major issue it sought to correct was the widespread sale of adulterated or misbranded foods and drugs, which often contained harmful substances or were falsely labeled regarding their quality and efficacy. Another practice it aimed to eliminate was the use of dangerous ingredients, such as cocaine and other narcotics, in over-the-counter medications, which posed serious health risks to consumers.

Muckrakers, investigative journalists who exposed corruption and misconduct in various sectors, played a crucial role in the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act. Through their thorough reporting, these journalists brought to light alarming practices within the food and drug industries, such as unsanitary conditions in factories and the misleading labeling of products. Their work galvanized public opinion and increased demand for reform, ultimately leading to the federal government's intervention in regulating these industries.

The lasting effect of the Pure Food and Drug Act has been significant in shaping the regulatory landscape for consumer products in the United States. It not only established the foundation for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees food safety and drug approval processes, but it also spurred subsequent legislation aimed at protecting consumers from harmful products. The act laid the groundwork for ongoing efforts to ensure food quality and drug safety, fostering greater accountability and transparency within the industries involved.