Upton Sinclair’s historic and timely novel The Jungle is not just an icon in the realm of American literature, this work of political fiction dramatically shaped how our country approaches food safety today. Curious how a novel written over 100 years ago can still shape modern food safety practices? Here’s why The Jungle remains relevant in today’s food safety training programs.
What Food Handling Was Like in the 19th Century
Up until Upton Sinclair published his life-altering book, it was almost anyone’s guess as to what was being processed, bought, served and digested by food service personnel. According to Popular Science, food items were often contaminated with formaldehyde, brick dust and lead, among other less savory elements or debris. “Local grocers were a wild west of unlabeled additives, untested chemicals and inedible fillers.”
One might suspect that contamination was, more often than not, an accidental result of unclean environments and difficult working conditions. However, according to the same article, much of it was intentional. As an example, lead compounds were intentionally added to cheese in order to “boast its golden color.”
There were no laws that kept food manufacturers and sellers in check. They could add whatever they wanted to their food products in order to make them appear more attractive in the open marketplace. Much like today’s illicit drug manufacturers, those in the food trade would also taint or add nasty fillers in order to thin their product as needed.
The Jungle and Food Safety and What it Means to You
Though Upton Sinclair’s novel was initially a metaphor for capitalism, it sparked a powder keg of food safety legislation. Shortly after The Jungle was published, Congress enacted the Federal Meat Inspection Act as well as the Pure Food and Drug Act. While these laws have been heavily revised since their inception, it’s clear that the government was taking the reins and laying down the law on food safety.
When it comes to The Jungle and food safety training, the impact today is apparent. The Jungle serves as a cautionary tale, reminding food industry professionals of the tragic consequences of complacency. These days, training emphasizes both hygiene and sanitation, which are essential when it comes to preventing contamination. Transparency and accountability are also enforced by both federal and state regulatory bodies. Food safety has become a collective responsibility that also requires ongoing training and strict adherence to industry standards.
If you are looking to acquire or renew your food handling certification, you’re exactly where you need to be. Here at American Course Academy, we pride ourselves on making sure that our courses are both affordable and accessible. In most cases, you can become a certified food handler in a single afternoon or evening. Our state-approved training materials are available in both English and Spanish and can be accessed remotely with any Wi-Fi-enabled device.
If you’re ready to advance your career in the hospitality industry, start your state-approved food handler course today.
