How did King John of England's Assize of Bread help shape food regulations in the 1200s?

• It required bread to be made from standard ingredients.
• It required bakers to offer their bread at an affordable price.
• It required bakers to use sanitary measures before food preparation
• It required bread to be fortified with vitamins and minerals.

1 answer

The correct option is: It required bread to be made from standard ingredients.

King John of England's Assize of Bread, issued in 1202, played a significant role in shaping food regulations in the 1200s by requiring bread to be made from standard ingredients. This regulation aimed to ensure the quality and consistency of bread across the country. Bakers were mandated to use specific ingredients, such as wheat flour, yeast, and salt, in their bread-making process. By establishing these standards, the Assize of Bread helped to improve food safety and protect consumers from bread made of inferior or harmful ingredients. This regulation also sought to prevent price gouging and ensure that bread was affordable and accessible to all members of society, particularly the poor. Although the Assize of Bread did not specifically address fortification or sanitary measures, its emphasis on ingredient standards and affordability laid the foundation for future food regulations and practices.