What was a significant effect of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906?

The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 had a profound impact on the safety and labeling of food and pharmaceuticals in the United States. The primary focus of the Act was to prevent the adulteration and mislabeling of these products, ensuring that consumers would receive safe and accurately represented items. This legislation marked the beginning of federal regulation of food and drug safety, addressing public health concerns about unsafe and deceptive practices in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

By prohibiting the distribution of misbranded or adulterated foods and drugs, the Act aimed to protect consumers from harmful ingredients and misleading labels, ultimately fostering greater transparency and trust in products available on the market. The establishment of a legal standard for labeling also paved the way for future legislation that would further solidify consumer protections and regulatory oversight, leading to the eventual formation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1930.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the key outcomes of the Pure Food and Drug Act. The legislation did not focus on increasing taxes or allowing unrestricted advertising; in fact, it imposed restrictions to ensure public safety. Additionally, while quality control measures became more formalized in subsequent years, the Pure Food and Drug Act itself did not establish specific quality control laboratories.