Public Education on Consumer Rights: The Role of the Ministry of Agriculture in Securing Federal Food and Drug Act 1887-1906

The industrialization and business expansion that run with free market system in United States during the Progressive Era, gives an opportunity to food manufacturers to commit fraud. The absence of food regulations and standardization gives a chance to food manufacturers in the United States to manufacture and sell adulterated food. This study analyzes the government's efforts in establishing the first trade regulations of food products in the United States in the early 20th century. This study analyzed the role of the Ministry of Agriculture in building public awareness to fight for federal food purity laws in the United States in the period 1887-1906. The results of this study indicate that the Head of Chemistry Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture is an agency in the pure food movement that fights for food business regulations in the United States. Using historical methods and the framing theory of Benford and Snow, this research investigate the role of the Ministry of Agriculture, especially Harvey Wiley as a Head of Chemistry Bureau, in shaping framing to influence people to join the pure food movement and deliver pressure to the Congress to ratify the first Pure Food and Drug Act in United States.