The Poison Eaters

by Gail Jarrow

Washington Post Best Children's Book

Formaldehyde, borax, salicylic acid. Today, these chemicals are used in embalming fluids, cleaning supplies, and acne medications. But in 1900, they were routinely added to food that Americans ate from cans and jars.

In 1900, products often weren't safe because unregulated, unethical companies added these and other chemicals to trick consumers into buying spoiled food or harmful medicines. Chemist Harvey Washington Wiley recognized these dangers and began a relentless thirty-year campaign to ensure that consumers could purchase safe food and drugs, eventually leading to the creation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, a US governmental organization that now has a key role in addressing the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic gripping the world today. Acclaimed nonfiction and Sibert Honor winning author Gail Jarrow uncovers this intriguing history in her trademark style that makes the past enthrallingly relevant for today's young readers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, History, Food, Science, Juvenile, Childrens

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 15, 2019

About the author

Gail Jarrow is the award-winning author of nonfiction books and novels for readers 8-18. Latest book: WHITE HOUSE SECRETS: MEDICAL LIES AND COVER-UPS. Visit GailJarrow.com.

Reviews

[Kiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book on the beginnings of the American Food & Drug Administration. You know those history books where you find yourself thinking, "They wouldn't do that really, would they?" That's Poison Eaters from start to finish. From the corrupt corporation who sold food full of toxins to the slightly-mad scientists (and various human lab rats) who led the charge toward food regulation, Jarrow takes us on a wild and stomach-turning ride. That Nutritional Facts label will be a lot more appealing next time you're examining a pack of Oreos.

[Shella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been an avid fan of Jarrow since I returned to teaching and discovered Red Madness. She is a master of her craft and writes nonfiction with a distinguished style. When students hit 6th grade after being tortured by leveled elementary reading groups using dry nonfiction- it is difficult to persuade students to pick up an authentic nonfiction book. I'm very thankful that Jarrow has written this page-turning series of nonfiction books. After a book talk, students are clamoring to get their hands on the few titles that I have. Spot on text features and layouts to draw in any reluctant reader in addition to impeccable research are some of the highlights of this book. The Poison Eaters is a riveting must read for any age. Thanks to the author for providing REAL quality nonfiction to share with my students. This book has my vote for a Newbery nod- it is time for distinguished nonfiction to receive some recognition. Looking forward to future titles and hoping they will be available in Scholastic book orders!

[Shenwei · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly depressing to be confronted with the inhumanity of some people who value profit over the health and safety of consumers...
nevertheless this was an incredibly informative read and a pointed reminder not to take for granted food safety regulations in the U.S. lol

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book while trying to alternate fiction and nonfiction books. This book is a crazy, horrific tale of what manufacturing and food services was in the 1880s through the mid-1900s. Basically, people grew their own food or traded or bought food in their village. THEN, food started to be canned and sold greater distances to cities. Your sausage was now filled with rat feces from the floor and Borax to keep it from rotting. The milk was watered down with a dash of formaldehyde to keep it fresh. The jar of honey wasn't even honey! It was cornstarch made glucose. The strawberry jam was glucose, leftovers apple scraps, red dye, and salicylic acid (the same stuff in my acne meds!) Your baby brother got a tonic to soothe his teething (surprise, it's morphine!) and the baking eggs used in your cake were rotten. They were just deodorized with formaldehyde--no more stinking sulfur smell! My favorite--your tea was leaves from any tree or shrub mixed with wood, brick, and lead to increase the weight to make more money!

This book goes through decades and decades of food, medicinal, and cosmetic horrors and focuses on an amazing man, Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley. He spent over thirty years trying to make America safe and hired the Poison Squads to do experiments eating these horrible meals and then tracking the people's health.

He finally got one act passed in 1907 where the ingredients alcohol, morphine, opium, heroin, cocaine and six other deadly drugs had to be mentioned on the label. Reading about these drugs being used and given to anyone was just nuts!

I would recommend this book to anyone at all, everyone should learn about how good we have it now and start going to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's because manufactured foods are just scary! I see you Whole 30 People--I get it!

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is the fascinating true story of how food was made safer to eat thanks to the stubborn dedication of government chemist Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley, whose hard work and determination led to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Formaldehyde, borax, salicylic acid. Today, these chemicals are used in embalming fluids, cleaning supplies, and acne medications. But in 1900, they were routinely added to food that Americans ate from cans and jars. Often products weren't safe because unregulated, unethical companies added these and other chemicals to trick consumers into buying spoiled food or harmful medicines. Chemist Harvey Washington Wiley recognized these dangers and began a relentless thirty-year campaign to ensure that consumers could purchase safe food and drugs, eventually leading to the creation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. Author Gail Jarrow uncovers this intriguing history in her trademark style that makes the past enthrallingly relevant for today's young readers.

Interesting, but it took me a long time to get through the book.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history of the FDA, (America's Food & Drug Administration) mostly told as a biography of Harvey Wiley who spent the early 1900s championing for federal involvement in adulterated food and its safety. Told in Jarrow's skillful way, so there's suspense and interest and great illustrations. It continues for a few chapters after Wiley retires (both from the FDA and then from life) to trace strengthening of the law.

I missed any look at the idea that gov't regulation can go too far -- Jarrow seems to approve of the FDA insisting that "love" be removed from an ingredients label, because apparently that could confuse someone? I'm glad the the FDA has to approve things, but what about a look at the cost of delays of new drug treatments now that there isn't a deadline? Or the cost of the wildly expanded department? I think its worthwhile, but it's not free. I just like to round off the corners of my nonfiction.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another poorly-timed read for me. It was frustrating to read about how the government stymied years and years of effort to implement logical food and drug protections, which loosely correlates to what's happening now with resources to combat COVID-19. I felt depressed, like things will always just be this way, with our decision-makers influenced more by the economy and personal gain than the good of the population.

Otherwise, this was interesting and I learned a lot. The title of "Poison Eaters" feels a bit misleading to me, since their role was only a small portion of the book. I hoped to learn more specifics about the volunteers and their specific symptoms based on what they ingested. The subtitle better reflects the book, and how over time one man (and others) fought for more transparency and safety in our food, drugs, and cosmetics.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is sold as a book for middle grades, but is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in the beginning of the FDA and all of the legal squabbles - thanks to Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, other scientists, and women, mostly mothers, and Sinclair Lewis - who fought Presidents, Congress, manufacturers, and con artists. Formaldehyde, borax, salicylic acid, animal parts, bricks, rocks, cocaine, morphine, radium, charcoal, coal tar, and belladonna!!! in our food, patent medicines, and milk! Well researched, many primary sources used. Highly recommend.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jarrow continues teaching history with grossness in the best, most visually attractive way.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I started to read this I had no idea that the problems with our food went back so far in history. Yes I had heard about those fake cures that people used to sell in bottles (apparently the proper term is "nostrum") but I didn't realize that the food fraud was around for so long! So this is about fraud and outright scams in the food and drugs ... And there were a lot of them too.

This book is practically a biography of Harvey Wiley who is the father of the FDA. But back then it wasn't called the FDA. It was the Division of Chemistry. And Harvey greatly cared about the general public's health. He was especially concerned about the poor people who had little choice in what they ate. Or what potion they bought to cure a sick child. Through doing various tests in his lab, he knew what they were buying wasn't what they thought it was. Unlisted ingredients (there was no law yet about ingredients but often the product wasn't what people thought it was: like a jar that looked like jam but there was no fruit or jam in it at all). So he sets out to create laws to protect the people.

This book tells his story. And the hardships he had to get anywhere at all. Just like today, those huge companies had the politicians in their pocket due to money. They didn't want to change as they were only after money.

I found reading this very eye opening. It's written in an interesting way and it's easy to understand too. Plus there are lots of photos and also vintage ads as well.

Take note some of the things in here are kind of gross: companies selling rotten eggs but hiding the smell with a chemical, butter with fly wings and maggots in it, etc. There are also some very famous cases in here too: the radium watch girls, the thalidomide birth defects (complete with a photo of a baby's feet that has seven toes per foot), the eyelash dye that made people go blind...

Plus the book explains how companies use loopholes to get around these laws.

Tons of food fraud going on!

Plus this makes me think of what I see at the supermarket today. I see bottles of spice mix that has unnecessary fillers added to it, like rice hulls and various corn derivatives - the most recent one I saw was "corn protein". This stuff was never added to spices before. Why is it in there now? Rice hulls are neither a herb or a spice. But reading this book makes me realize that this stuff has been going on for over a hundred years. It's just in the past the companies weren't required to label it at all. So in the past you could be a house wife thinking you bought a bottle of herbs - maybe an Italian mix - and you are actually getting a lot of rice hulls instead. Plus who knows what else!

I know this book is aimed at kids, but as an adult I found it very fascinating. And eye opening.

The book also has an index and a small dictionary of terms at the back. There's also a bibliography.

And those vintage ads! Some are just shocking. The artwork is very cool to look at but some of the claims the ads make - that is the shocking part. Like one for Coca-Cola actually claims drinking the soda is "beneficial". I cannot imagine what could be beneficial about drinking it at all - even if in the old days it was made with real sugar instead of the corn syrup of today. The ad showed women with tiny waist in long dresses at the soda shoppe! I think we all know these days soda has the opposite effect!

I also like the full color list of other similar books way at the back. I highly suspect I may end up reading a few more of these.

[Joanna Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is your reminder that 1906 was the first time infant medicines in the USA containing morphine, alcohol and opium were required to be labeled with the ingredients. No, you know, outlawed, just labeled.

The poison eaters is a brief history of the FDA and a few high points in the last 150 years of food/drug/cosmetic safety in the US. Really fun read for cranking one's paranoia to maximum. Turns out it's actually more fun to read books about the toxic things people ingested in ancient times rather than the last 100 years.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was truly fascinating, if also a little disgusting with the lack of standards for food production etc. Wiley's fight for a pure-food law was admirable and also a bit frustrating as he fought corruption at a master level. I enjoyed learning about all of the poor food, cosmetics, and medicines of the times. And it made me very glad for our improved standards for sure!

[RaspberryRoses]

the fact that this book included a plausibly fake ad about tape worms does make me worry about the overall quality of the research .but i still enjoyed reading it.

[Quenby Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book, I learned a lot about things I wouldn’t usually even think about. It shows you how much there is going on behind the scenes that you never realize, even with things that seem harmless.

[Lauren Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this for a library school class and even though it's for children it left me gobsmacked holy smokes

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a fifth/middle school book rather than a teen audience. Anything is horrifying to read when it contains stories about thalidomide, radium additives, morphine laced cough syrup, and Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. Inevitably, one will finish the book distrustful of the safety of capitalism (as one should). But there was something missing. I know, it's an introductory book meant for younger readers rather than a Radiolab spinoff series, but the balance feels off. It draws its attention-grabbing title from an influential but widely discredited experiment that only factors in to a small portion of the book. 2/3 of the book is about the creation of the FDA (and its early ineptitude) through the lens of protagonist Dr. Wiley, and then the last third is how the FDA is strengthened after his death into what he had envisioned. This felt slightly lopsided, but more problematically, it stops just shy of present times except for a mini-anecdote about a 2017 incident involving belladonna in teething tablets and an offhand reference to 2020's changing nutrition labels (without any context).

In what I assume is an effort to stay apolitical and undated, it ends with unasked and unaddressed questions. As a middle schooler, I would ask, "So is my food safe now? Are my drugs safe now? How is it that after all of this, drug companies can still use deadly nightshade without the FDA knowing/regulating (unless there is a complaint)? Jarrow doesn't go into the current process of review, the controversy over "organic" labeling (despite heavily focusing on deceptive labeling in the mid 1900s), the ability to withhold ingredient information under umbrella terms like "trade secrets" and "other natural flavors," the way drug companies do their most of their own studies and testing, or the way increased red tape can controversially slow the development of drugs.

Yes, I know that's a lot and might make this book lose focus. Not all of it should be included. But without some of that, Jarrow imparts the historical need for the FDA without examining its role in society NOW. And with a book this terrifying and an Internet full of misinformation like Goop, younger readers (and me!) would benefit from accurate insights into today's FDA.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving the books by this author. So much information about how things were 100+ years ago. In this book it's all about the additives canners, factories, and other food companies put in their food. Cocaine, morphine, and other bad chemicals. Oh, and let's not forget about insects, and animal parts and stuff swept up from off the floor. Gross.

Here are some notes I wrote while reading this book:

page 64 - Meat packing grossness. Here is where the book was talking about how anything and everything was swept off the floor and put into the food. Then was packaged for the consumer.

page 77 - Saccharin. Yes that substance that is still in our food. This is dervied from coal tar.

page 79 - Coca-cola. Full of cocaine and caffeine. Luckily, they stopped with the cocaine.

page 81 - "8 glasses of Coca-Cola contained enough caffeine to kill a 160 pound man". - A professor of pharmacology at Harvard. The caffeine was reduced in the drink at a later time.

page 98 - Radium girls. The young women who painted the dials on pocket watches worked with this substance and many became sick with cancer and died.

page 103 - "Kallet and Schlink suggested that an increase in cancer cases since 1930 was due to chemicals in food and drugs."

So interesting to read about these people who either didn't know they were putting dangerous chemicals in our food or just didn't care. I'm so thankful for people like Dr. Wiley, who stood up for us consumers. Fascinating book.

[Sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently I'd read a book about our journey through food history, and how we used to know every little detail about our food, and what we were putting in our bodies. And then, we started making processed food, and everything changed wildly. This book felt like a great additional read to that one, since it dealt with some of what they were talking about in the other book. In short, the forming of the FDA, and how it all came together.

Jarrow's book is well-researched, and is an excellent piece on our consumer history. Harvey Wiley, who is the primary character of this work, doggedly pursued justice for consumers, and worked tirelessly against politicians and organizations, including other scientists, to push for truth. I loved reading about a hero in our history, especially one who I'd not read much about before.

Excellent read for children and teens, but also adults.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Because Bink gave it 5 stars)
Fascinating history following the relentless work of US government chemist Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley.
In 1874 he was offered a position of professor of chemistry at Purdue University. After 4 years, he studied in Europe visiting hospitals, and attending lectures in chemistry, physics, and pathology. His experience with equipment that analyzed the chemical composition of food greatly interested him and found a need to apply that knowledge back home.
Chemicals were being added to food products to enhance color, delay spoilage, etc., some of which were actually harmful.

He and his colleagues led the way to the creation of the FDA and safer food, drugs and cosmetics.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative Jarrow nonfiction that tells the tale of the crappy companies that wanted to cut corners and put non-food items, coloring, dyes, and liquids into food to prolong them, cover up the smell of already rotting-food, or save on food products used by substituting other things (sawdust for flour in breads) that was not only affecting people’s health but fleecing farmers.

It’s not as “riveting” as some of her others but still important and worth a read where it comes to the creation of the FDA and how chemistry is awesome. Similarly it is scary what babies were given (morphine, nightshade, alcohol) hidden in products designed to heal them.

[Trisha Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fascinated by modern-day snake oil salesman, and this book showed me that hocking quackery and misleading products is nothing new. It also showed me how grateful I am for the people who fought for regulated food safety for over two decades so that I am able to go to the grocery store and have very few doubts that what I'm purchasing is safe to consume.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the rise of the pure food movement leading to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration told in a riveting narrative full of revolting details about rancid food, deadly medicines, and toxic cosmetics consumed by the public thanks to the absence of regulations.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - Easily digestible and fascinating information on the history of the FDA.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history of the FDA and food safety laws. Let’s hope those laws continue to evolve as humans are still eating all kinds of harmful things.

[Lisa Frendahl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. It's written for younger readers, but it reads like a textbook. The writing style making the inherently interesting topic...rather dull.

[Abby Epplett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picture-filled hardcover book used posters, advertisements, and photographs to illustrate ten chapters and substantial appendixes. This book was thoroughly researched by a seasoned professional, as Jarrow had previously won awards for writing nonfiction.

For anyone deeply interested in the history leading up to the creation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or fascinated with all things 19th century through early 20th century, this is an excellent source. However, the book does have some structural issues. The book is about sixty percent biography, giving a comprehensive look at the life of Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley, a researcher who ran food preservative studies and supported the passage of the Food and Drugs Act. By ending Dr. Wiley’s story in the seventh chapter, the end of the book seemed to drag even if the material presented was compelling.

As for the intended age demographic, I believe the book is aimed towards grades five through eight, or ages ten through thirteen. The binding of the book has a hard cover, bright colors, and nearly square shape, which initially made me think the book was intended for a slightly younger demographic, perhaps first through fifth grade, or ages six through ten. I applaud Jarrow for never talking down to her young audience, as she used scientific and political terms in her writing while providing a glossary. She also employed complex sentences and included quotes from the subjects of the book. However, some of these paragraphs were complex and read like academic papers written by college students.

The final note on this book was that its contents were grotesque in several places. The realistic descriptions of what ended up in processed food and fraudulent drugs, along with pictures of victims, would deeply disturb some readers.

If you are an academically inclined middle schooler or an adult who loves sophisticated picture books, this might be a good read for you, provided you have a strong stomach. Otherwise, you might want to steer clear of this book.

Read the full review on my blog, Abby Epplett, Historian.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably an excellent book NOT to read while eating, or before bedtime! It contains horrifying stories such as the woman who wanted to look good for an occasion and let the beautician use “Lash Lure” on her eyelashes. Her eyeballs were burnt by the chemicals used and she became completely blind. Others were killed by this toxic beauty makeup! People would use medicines that would kill or maim such as Thalidomide, which is now on the market in presumably a safe way. Personally, I’d avoid it until I studied the rationale for bringing it on the market now! Foods were adulterated with incredibly toxic or just plain gross (bug parts) ingredients. Harvey Wiley became the hero of this time and is considered the father of the FDA. Hero to some, hated by businessmen who had to remove fake claims or ingredients. Theodore Roosevelt was lukewarm about him as well. I suspect that, like many campaigners swimming upstream for his cause, he could be abrasive and undiplomatic. Nonetheless, he made great changes which led to a protege he hired eventually becoming head of what is now known as the FDA. Was he perfect? No, of course not! His first national attention came when he started a years long series of experiments with a group of men called the poison eaters! Today, those experiments would have landed him in prison with his reputation ruined! Back then, it drew attention to what a perilous state food was in to include such items. Definitely recommended to youth interested in medicine or the “oooh GROSS”! Crowd of kids!

[Karen Gedeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Poison Eaters: Fighting Danger and Fraud in our Food and Drugs written by Gail Jarrow – Poison Eaters gets its name from one of the pioneering programs Harvey Wiley initiated in the late 1800s to investigate fraud in the US food system. Poison Eaters agreed to eat food laced with the chemicals Wiley believed was causing health issues. As the head of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Division of Chemistry, what later became The Food and Drug Administration, Wiley was instrumental in calling out shady practices of adding toxic chemicals to food and requiring certain information be included on food labels. Poison Eaters is a fascinating look at the history of processed food in the United States including its manufacturers and the politics surrounding it. Grades 7+ will enjoy this book, but it will have a limited amount of interest unless accompanied by a robust book talk. Includes photos, sidebars, “The Poison Chemical Squad” (a list of chemicals Wiley addressed and if/where they are used today), a glossary, a timeline, additional resources for further information, an author’s note and index.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Poison Eaters" by Gail Jarrow is a fascinating and eye-opening read that dives into the history of food safety in America. Aimed at readers ages 10 to 14, it’s packed with shocking details about the dangerous chemicals once used in everyday foods and the relentless efforts of chemist Harvey Wiley to expose them. The book doesn’t just cover the science, it also highlights the role of investigative journalism and books like "The Jungle" that helped push for reform. With historical photos, real-life stories, and a fast-paced narrative, this is nonfiction that reads like a thriller. Highly recommended for curious middle grade readers who want to know what’s really behind the labels.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very and interesting book about how surprisingly many things companies put in food and medicine products before the 1906 food an drug laws about what people can say on food labels and what sort of products used to be sold as cheap alternatives of real food.