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The Poison Squad: One Chemist's Single-Minded Crusade for Food Safety at the Turn of the Twentieth Century

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The Poison Squad: One Chemist's Single-Minded Crusade for Food Safety at the Turn of the Twentieth CenturyA New York Times Notable Book The inspiration for PBS's AMERICAN EXPERIENCE film The Poison Squad. From Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author Deborah Blum, the dramatic true story of how food was made safe in the United States and the heroes, led by the inimitable Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley, who fought for change By the end of nineteenth century, food was dangerous. Lethal, even. "Milk" might contain formaldehyde, most often

A New York Times Notable Book

The inspiration for PBS's AMERICAN EXPERIENCE film The Poison Squad.

From Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times-bestselling author Deborah Blum, the dramatic true story of how food was made safe in the United States and the heroes, led by the inimitable Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley, who fought for change

By the end of nineteenth century, food was dangerous. Lethal, even. "Milk" might contain formaldehyde, most often used to embalm corpses. Decaying meat was preserved with both salicylic acid, a pharmaceutical chemical, and borax, a compound first identified as a cleaning product. This was not by accident; food manufacturers had rushed to embrace the rise of industrial chemistry, and were knowingly selling harmful products. Unchecked by government regulation, basic safety, or even labelling requirements, they put profit before the health of their customers. By some estimates, in New York City alone, thousands of children were killed by "embalmed milk" every year. Citizens--activists, journalists, scientists, and women's groups--began agitating for change. But even as protective measures were enacted in Europe, American corporations blocked even modest regulations. Then, in 1883, Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley, a chemistry professor from Purdue University, was named chief chemist of the agriculture department, and the agency began methodically investigating food and drink fraud, even conducting shocking human tests on groups of young men who came to be known as, "The Poison Squad."

Over the next thirty years, a titanic struggle took place, with the courageous and fascinating Dr. Wiley campaigning indefatigably for food safety and consumer protection. Together with a gallant cast, including the muckraking reporter Upton Sinclair, whose fiction revealed the horrific truth about the Chicago stockyards; Fannie Farmer, then the most famous cookbook author in the country; and Henry J. Heinz, one of the few food producers who actively advocated for pure food, Dr. Wiley changed history. When the landmark 1906 Food and Drug Act was finally passed, it was known across the land, as "Dr. Wiley's Law."

Blum brings to life this timeless and hugely satisfying "David and Goliath" tale with righteous verve and style, driving home the moral imperative of confronting corporate greed and government corruption with a bracing clarity, which speaks resoundingly to the enormous social and political challenges we face today.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 09/24/2019
ISBN: 9780143111122
Pages: 352
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.50w x 0.80d
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SKU: 93835850820

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Patricia Davis
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Beautiful item
Color: Black
Absolutely love this item. It is perfect for my living room decor. It is very well made and stylish. I use it to keep track of my eye glasses.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2026
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Nancy Jane
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Really nice!
Color: Cream
Very attractive and more expensive looking than its cost. I have it in red, too.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2025
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J-Man
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice Tray
Color: Black
Nice tray!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2025
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L K
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Versatile and decent size
Color: Black, Color: Black
I love little trays for random things. I saw this and had to get it. I ordered the black one. It came nicely packaged in a box that protected it from any damage during transport. It is approximately 8” x 8” x 1.6.” It is made of faux leather and MDF. It is supposedly water-resistant, but I have tested that. The interest in smooth, while the exterior walls have vertical ridges. The bottom is smooth. It’s heavy enough so it doesn’t side around. I have used it for numerous things: jewelry, pens and notepads, keys and sunglasses, perfume, medications, change, remotes, and change. It’s a handy and modern piece that could suit most people.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2025
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loumarjr
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Small Valet Tray Nightstand Organizer (Black)
Color: Black, Color: Black
I really love the leather look of this valet tray. It’s both stylish and functional, giving a classy touch to my nightstand while keeping small items neatly organized. The PU leather finish feels smooth, looks high-end, and the construction feels sturdy. Pros: Elegant PU leather design with a textured finish Compact 8x8 inch size fits perfectly on nightstands, dressers, or desks Multi-purpose — great for keys, watches, jewelry, remotes, or glasses Water-resistant surface makes it easy to wipe clean Adds a decorative touch while being practical Makes a thoughtful and stylish gift Cons: The sides are a little low, so bulkier items may slide out Only available in limited colors compared to some other organizers Overall, this is a really nice valet tray. It looks more expensive than it is, keeps my essentials in one place, and adds a clean, organized look to my space. Definitely worth it if you like the leather aesthetic!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2025

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