Doctor Wiley and the Poison Squad, pioneers of food safety

The video discusses the historical use of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, Borax, and copper sulfate in food preservation due to the lack of regulations. Dr. Harvey W Wiley, a chemist, initiated trials with volunteers known as the Poison Squad to test the effects of these chemicals. The trials revealed severe health impacts, leading to public awareness and the establishment of the first food regulations in 1906, eventually resulting in the creation of the FDA, significantly improving food safety standards.

What was the primary reason food manufacturers used chemicals like Borax and formaldehyde in food?

• To enhance the nutritional value

• To make the food taste better

• To make the food appear fresher

• To increase the shelf life

Who was the chemist that initiated the Poison Squad experiments?

• Dr. Louis Pasteur

• Dr. Harvey W Wiley

• Dr. John Harvey Kellogg

• Dr. Joseph Lister

What was the main purpose of the Poison Squad experiments?

• To develop new food flavors

• To create new food packaging methods

• To improve agricultural practices

• To test the effects of food preservatives on health

What were some of the symptoms observed in the Poison Squad volunteers?

• Enhanced immune response

• Increased energy levels

• Improved digestion

• Acute poisoning symptoms like nausea and vomiting

What significant event in food regulation occurred in 1906?

• The invention of canned food

• The first food regulations were passed

• The introduction of organic farming

• The discovery of pasteurization