This act, Public Law 75-717, 52 STAT 1040, prohibited the movement in interstate commerce of adultered and misbranded food, drugs, devices, and comestics. It required that food labels use the “common or usual name” of a food. It also included standards related to identity, quality, and how full a container is to ensure the “value expected” for the consumer. The first and last page of the document are shown.
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
- 6/25/1938
Description
This primary source comes from the General Records of the United States Government.
National Archives Identifier: 299847
Full Citation: Act of June 25, 1938 (Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act), Public Law 75-717, 52 STAT 1040, which prohibited the movement in interstate commerce of adultered and misbranded food, drugs, devices, and cometics.; 6/25/1938; Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789 – 2011; General Records of the United States Government, Record Group 11; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/document/food-drug-cosmetic-act/, April 1, 2026]
Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
