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Upton's Sinclair's The Jungle depicted the distressing and horrifying conditions and instances of tainted meat in a meat-packing factory in Chicago. Consequently, this novel played a pivotal role in instigating substantial transformations in the meat-packing sector. Moreover, it led to a decline in the canned meat business both domestically and internationally. Due to the widespread lack of faith and the ensuing controversies surrounding the meat industry, President Roosevelt and Congress decided to take action. This decision set off a sequence of events that ultimately culminated in the establishment of the Pure Food and Drug Administration Act.
Upton Sinclair's novel portrayed the daily routines of the meat-packing industry, highlighting the disturbing practices taking place in the Chicago factories. Jurgis, an employee at one of these factories, experienced firsthand what Sinclair described in great detail. One instance was the unsanitary hand-cleaning method, where water used for sausages also served to clean employees' hands. The factories also accumulated meat scraps, sawdust, and spit on the floor, which were eventually processed and canned for sale to consumers.
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Different types of meat were labeled with specific names to indicate their composition. Additionally, a process known as "giving them thirty per cent" involved using a potent pickle to eliminate the spoiled odor of ham, making it presentable to consumers. Another type of meat, known as "Number Three Grade," referred to smoked ham that had gone bad.
Eventually, the process involved extracting the bone from the meat, then creating a hole which was filled with a "white-hot iron".
This transformed the previously categorized Number Three Grade meat into Number One Grade meat. With the implementation of this technique, there was no longer a distinction between Number one, two or three meats; they all became Number One Grade meat. The different types of meat were nicknamed, such as "boneless hams", which encompassed any pork variety used; "California hams", which were made from ground-up shoulder and joints with minimal hog meat content; and "skinned hams", referring to older hogs. Additionally, there was a problem with rat infestation caused by a leaky roof. The dripping from the roof attracted rats, which contaminated the meat and were subsequently processed and sold to consumers.
Poisoned breads were included in the daily meat supplement for both rats and workers in the factory. The workers faced various injuries, ranging from cuts to losing limbs, and in the worst cases, losing their lives. Tragically, even those who died would still be processed with the meat. Shockingly, workers who fell into vats were unnoticed and passed through inspections. Government inspectors neglected their duties and socialized instead of paying attention to what was being processed. Consequently, the public unknowingly consumed what had been contaminated in the meat. It was only when the public became aware of these factory conditions that stricter laws were proposed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
President Roosevelt took immediate action upon the release of The Jungle, calling the Neill-Reynolds meat inspection report "revolting." He threatened meat-packing factories with the release of the report if they did not improve their conditions. The packers were fearful that this would harm the packing industry. The President of the American National Livestock Association approached Roosevelt for "adequate inspection legislation." Judge Sam H. Crown, representing both the National Livestock Association and the Texas Cattle Association, proposed a compromise bill to restore trust among the packers and prevent the decline of the meat industry. As part of this compromise, cattle raisers would cover the cost of inspecting live animals, while packers would cover the cost of inspecting carcasses and canned products.
Unions also participated in investigations, with union workers in Brooklyn being sent undercover to non-union shops. These shops predominantly employed unskilled workers who earned low wages. The officials of the union claimed that these workers did not receive fair compensation for their time and engaged in unsanitary practices. However, Jurgis, the protagonist in Upton Sinclair's novel, revealed that the packers had infiltrated all the unions and even purchased a number of union officials. As a result, they received weekly reports on union activities. Investigations into the meat packing industry in Chicago were initiated due to its business dealings with foreign countries. Sinclair's novel not only raised concerns among Americans but also garnered international attention, particularly in London.
Consumers in London boycotted canned meat from America, including roast beef and corned beef, after newspapers exposed the methods used by the meat-packing industries. The residents of London refused to consume any type of meat product "shipped from Chicago... (since it's not) fit to put in human stomachs." The distrust of American factories led London to turn to Australians and New Zealanders to take over America's position in the meat-packing industry. The Chicago meat-packing industry caused immense distrust with the English. Sailors from the Atlantic Fleet battleship also refused to eat any canned meat, with one sailor stating that it would require "a mightily fine cook to make it palatable" in reference to needing to kill bacteria themselves due to the negligence of the Chicago factories.
The president of the New York Board of Health personally investigated factories and concluded that the meat factories were sanitary and did not pose any alarm. Dr. Darline defended the practice of coloring frankfurters, stating that adding a little aniline to give them the same color would not be harmful. However, Sinclair's novel contradicts Dr. Darline's statement. In the novel, it is depicted that the meat was spoiled and chemicals were used to mask the odor, while the coloring enhanced the appearance of the meat. While Dr. Darline is correct that the coloring itself is not harmful, the reasons behind coloring could be potentially harmful. Despite Dr. Darline's claims of having the best Health Department, Sinclair's novel paints a different picture. According to the novel, factory employees worked late, processing unfit animals without proper notification, and there was no way to identify the contaminated meat.
Despite having the best Health Department, it would be impossible to visually detect if the meat was contaminated. Additionally, Dr. Darline's investigation was compromised by bias as the factories were informed about it prior to his visit. Despite Dr. Darline's belief in the cleanliness of the factories, a study conducted in Indianapolis tested forty-nine meat samples including bologna, steak, veal, pigs-foot, and more. Shockingly, thirty-three out of the forty-nine samples were found to be contaminated with chemicals and were being sold at market stands for consumers. The Cudahy Plant in Kentucky had to close down due to the release of contaminated meat, which was reported by newspapers and magazines. Notably, sixty percent of the meat produced by the Cudahy factory was consumed in Louisville, Kentucky, affecting nearby hotels and restaurants due to the shutdown.
The Americans themselves were writing to the editors of the New York Times, sharing their suggestions on what actions to take. An anonymous writer suggested that Congress should pass a law that not only targets meat and beef packers, but also includes any involvement in the Inter-State food business. The suggestion also mentioned the need for a license, which should only be granted by the Federal Court. Ernest H. Crosby, another writer to the editor of the New York Times, recommended completely eliminating meat consumption. According to Crosby, meat is unnecessary and can be replaced with protein-rich alternatives such as "cereal, eggs, wheat bread, peas & beans". Crosby was among many who believed that removing meat from their diet could be a solution.
President Roosevelt issued a demand to the meat-packing industry, presenting them with an ultimatum. He warned them that if they did not make substantial changes to the entire industry to foster consumer trust, he would release a published copy of the Neill-Reynolds meat inspection report. Neill and Reynolds, who were appointed by the President, conducted factory inspections and provided a thorough account of their findings. In his address to the House of Representatives and the Senate, President Roosevelt proclaimed:
Even a brief examination reveals the appalling conditions present in the Chicago stock yards. It is absolutely essential, for the sake of both public health and decency, that these conditions undergo a radical transformation. Prior to receiving the report, I had already instructed that labels on meat food products should only indicate the inspection of the animal carcass at the time of slaughter. If legislation is not passed to ensure inspection throughout all stages of meat preparation, I will be forced to prohibit the use of inspection labels and certificates on canned products in the future.
The Food and Drugs Act was passed by Congress in June 1906, aiming to safeguard consumers by making it unlawful to sell contaminated food nationwide. The act resulted from a compromise between the packers and President Roosevelt, and it consisted of five main provisions. Firstly, accurate labeling, including the inspection date, was deemed essential. Secondly, the government would bear the expenses of inspection. Thirdly, the Secretary of Agriculture was granted the power to appoint Inspectors as desired by waiving the civil service requirement. Fourthly, any plant that failed to comply with the Secretary's rules and regulations regarding the disposal of diseased or condemned carcasses could have its inspection revoked. Finally, the judgment of the Secretary of Agriculture would determine whether meat would be approved or rejected.
The Food and Drug Act of 1906 is a significant document that assured the safety of canned products from America. The detailed depiction of the conditions in Chicago's meat-packing factory caused distrust and fear among consumers. They were unaware of the actual ingredients in canned meat, finding out that everything but the meat was processed. The Food and Drug Act now safeguards consumers from the aspects described in Upton Sinclair's novel, thereby restoring confidence in America's meat-packing industry.
The Impact of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle on Meat-Packing Industry. (2016, Jun 20). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/analysis-of-upton-sinclairs-novel-the-jungle-essay
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