Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
11/16/2012 “Harvey Wiley’s ‘Poison Squad’: Food Additive Safety Wiley’s “Poison Squad”/ Hygienic Table Borax (boric acid) Salicylates (salicylic acid) Sulfites (sulfuric acid) Benzoate of Soda (sodium benzoate) Formaldehyde Saccharin (sweetener and preservative) SUZANNE W. JUNOD, PH.D. U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION HISTORY OFFICE [email protected] Potassium (curing meats) Copper sulfate (“greening” vegetables Washington Post, December 21, 1902 WILEY ADDS BORAX After many false starts and various set backs, preservatives in food for the 12 scientific boarders at the Bureau of Chemistry, Agricultural Department, were used at dinner last night for the first time. They ate together for some days before adding the first of the preservatives to be tested – borax. It was “stewed with the food” which consisted of roast beef and gravy, potatoes, vegetables, bread and butter, milk and tea. 1 11/16/2012 2 11/16/2012 3 11/16/2012 The Poison Squad’s Significance Wiley confirmed his own prejudices. There was universal agreement on the dangers of formaldehyde. There was little agreement among scientists about the significance of Wiley’s other experimental findings. Wiley’s conclusions put public health concerns at the forefront COMMON SENSE IN THE HOUSEHOLD Poison squad participants learned that eating a high quality diet, replete with fruits and vegetables, can counteract any ill effects from preservatives. This isn’t Joan of Arc at the battle of Orleans. It is only young Mrs. Dupagnac at the siege of tomato catsup; and possibly, she may save one bottle if the fermentation is willing. 4 11/16/2012 The 1906 Act – 27 Years in the Making Overall Intent of the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act PROTECT AND ELEVATE THE FOOD AND DRUG SUPPLY AS WELL AS REPUTATIONS OF HONEST BUSINESSM EN BY WEEDING OUT DISHONEST PLAYERS Key Provisions of the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act Commerce Clause in the Constitution: Jurisdiction over goods moving in interstate commerce Key Provisions of 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act (cont’d) Defined adulteration Defined misbranding Scientific investigations and enforcement authority vested in Bureau of Chemistry, USDA Condemned products subject to seizure and destruction at defendant’s expense Violations incur misdemeanor - $500 for first offense; $1000 for second offense Publication of Notices of Judgment as a deterrent Key Food Provisions Under the 1906 Act Prohibited “added” poisonous or deleterious ingredients (poisonous minerals, colors, flavors) Prohibited omission, substitution, or mixture of ingredients that would lessen value, quality, etc. Required accurate labeling : tell the truth or be silent as to weight, quantity, country of origin, etc. Prohibited food made up “in whole or in part of filthy, decomposed, or putrid” substances 5 11/16/2012 Theodore Roosevelt’s State of the Union Address, 1907 “Two years have not elapsed, and already it has become evident that the great benefit the law confers upon the public is accompanied by an equal benefit to the reputable packing establishments. The latter are better off under the law then they were without it.” Chemogastric Revolution Food Advertisements in Good Housekeeping 1940 Before WWII Average of 26 per issue 1950 After WWII Average of 68 per issue 6 11/16/2012 Intent of Delaney Laws Populist response to growing concerns about the safety of “manufactured foods” and pesticides.” “Functional food additives” (emulsifiers, preservatives, cleaners) with complex chemical names were unfamiliar. JUST SAY NO! Delaney Laws 1954 Miller Pesticides Amendment 1958 Food Additives Amendment 1960 Color Additives Amendment Delaney Clause and Regulatory Limitations – Color Additives “No additive shall be deemed to be safe if it is found to induce cancer.” Orange #17 presented a lifetime risk of cancer of 1 in 19 billion. Courts rejected FDA’s “de minimis” argument leaving FDA “helpless slaves to literalism.” 7 11/16/2012 GRAS List Generally Recognized As Safe Miazga’s Discovery “Death is nature’s way of telling you the FDA was right.” Robert Miazga, The Official Explanations 8