Which piece of legislation was enacted to ensure the safety of food and drugs in commerce?

The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 is recognized as a significant piece of legislation aimed at ensuring the safety of food and drugs in commercial distribution. This law was pivotal in the early development of consumer protection standards in the United States. It established prohibitions against the misbranding and adulteration of food and drugs, which laid the foundation for the regulatory framework that governs food and drug safety today.

The act was a response to public outcry regarding unsanitary practices and misleading labeling in the food and drug industry, notably highlighted by Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle." By prohibiting the sale of harmful or misbranded products, the Pure Food and Drug Act sought to protect consumers and promote public health.

Though subsequent legislation, such as the FDA 1938 and the Kefauver-Harris 1962, built upon the principles established by the 1906 act, and addressed more specific issues regarding drug approval and marketing, the original aim of the Pure Food and Drug Act was to create a safer marketplace for consumers by ensuring the integrity of food and pharmaceuticals from the outset.