The Meat Inspection Act was enacted in 1906 in the United States to ensure the safety and quality of meat products. This law mandated federal inspection of meat processing plants and established standards for sanitary conditions. It aimed to protect consumers from contaminated or misbranded meat, promoting public health. The act was a response to public outcry over unsanitary practices in the meat industry, highlighted by Upton Sinclair's novel, The Jungle. It led to the creation of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which oversees meat inspections and enforces regulations to maintain food safety standards.