What tragedy allegedly spurred Al Capone to lobby for milk date stamps?
Answer
A family member becoming seriously ill from contaminated milk.
The popular narrative surrounding Al Capone's alleged involvement in food dating suggests a highly personal catalyst. According to this legend, a family member, possibly a niece, reportedly fell gravely ill after consuming milk that had been adulterated, which was a common practice at the time involving masking spoilage with substances like chalk or formaldehyde. This supposed tragedy is cited as the motivation that drove the powerful gangster to take aggressive action, allegedly lobbying the Chicago City Council to mandate visible date stamps on all milk containers to protect public health, particularly that of children and pregnant women.
Related Questions
What tragedy allegedly spurred Al Capone to lobby for milk date stamps?When did the broader movement toward clear, consumer-facing food dates primarily occur?What was the sole purpose of the initial "closed" dating systems used by manufacturers?What specific product remains under a federal dating requirement in the United States?What primary concern defines the "Use By" date for highly perishable chilled foods?Which specific, harmful bacteria can grow even in refrigeration and is associated with "Use By" date failures?What 1975 survey result reflected consumer anxiety driving food dating systems?Which UK retailer introduced the "sell-by" date into its storerooms in the 1950s?For items marked "best before," what is the most practical consumer measure after the date passes?In the gangster legend, what did Capone allegedly inherit concerning milk facilities?What is the primary function associated with the "Best Before" date label?