"A century ago, 12 men sat down to a plate of food laced with poison and came back for more. Blessed by Congress, the dinner was the first in a series of meals containing steadily increasing doses of suspected toxic chemicals. What better animal to test toxicity in humans, than a human?"
-Carol Lewis, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Consumer Magazine November-December 2002
-Carol Lewis, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Consumer Magazine November-December 2002
The Poison Squad
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"Harvey Wiley...was convinced that the preservatives and dyes added to foods were dangerous. But he needed proof. So...he enlisted young men to eat in the basement of
the Department of Agriculture- outfitting his makeshift dining room with white tablecloths, waiters and a chef. The men would order, and then chemicals were added to the food. Wiley would observe the men and make notes describing the effects of each meal on his volunteers." (Lewis) |
NONE BUT THE BRAVE CAN EAT THE FARE
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"Chemicals fed to the young men included borax; salicylic, sulphurous, and benzoic acids; and formaldehyde. The experiments went on for 5 years. Wiley and the public became convinced that chemical preservatives should be used in food only when necessary; that the burden of proving safety should fall on the producer; and that none should be used without informing the consumer on the label -- basic principles of today's law and regulations."
(FDA) |