Question

Can someone help me with this question?
Was the Food and Drug Administration formed in response to a national event or some sort of emergency?
My answer is: The Food and Drug Administration was not formed because of a national event or some sort of emergency. The Food and Drug Administration came into existence from a convergence of events.
Is this right?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Essentially, I agree. However, the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 was passed largely as a result of public opinion. Sinclair Lewis's <i>The Jungle</i> was in large part responsible for its scene about a man falling into a vat of lard and being cooked and sold as "Armour's Pure Lard."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Food_and_Drug_Act

Note that article gives 1906 as the effective founding date of the FDA, although it didn't get that name until the 30s.

Answer 2

Actually, being a beekeeper, I happen to know the history for which you are asking. At the turn of the century, honey was a major sweetner, refined cane sugar was really in its infancy. To make more money, some folks were adding things to honey to stretch it into more volume. It was a major issue, believe it or not in the press.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AA155

Answer 3

So then am I wrong about the FDA not being formed because of being in response of a national event or some sort of emergency.

Answer 4

No, you're right. There were many events that brought the establishment of the FDA.