The Victorian Era and Food Adulteration
Poets involved
What happened
The Victorian era was a period of widespread food adulteration, with merchants using a variety of harmful additives to increase profits. The problem was a major public health concern, and it was extensively documented by chemists and journalists. The Victorian period saw the passage of several food safety laws, though they were often ineffective.
Literary impact
Victorian poets and novelists, including Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Christina Rossetti, frequently addressed the issue of food adulteration in their work. The theme of contaminated food was a powerful symbol of the social and moral decay of the era, and it contributed to the growing demand for social reform. Goblin Market is perhaps the most famous poetic work on the subject.
Source: Wikipedia
