Meatpacking Industry

Although inspection by the federal government of meat used in the packing industry was provided for in earlier acts of Congress (1890-1891, 1895), comprehensive legislation was not introduced until 1906. By the act of 1906 all cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs became subject to antemortem and postmortem examination when the meat was to be used in interstate or foreign commerce; later the act was extended to include reindeer. By this legislation about 60 percent of the total meat supply of the United States was brought under inspection. The Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 added further control, directed against trust activities. The Wholesome Meat Act of 1967 requires all meatpackers to meet federal inspection requirements, and agreements to that effect have been made between the various states and the federal government.