Center for Science in the Public Interest records, 1971-2009

Summary

Creator:
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Physical description:
14.75 cubic feet in 16 boxes
Language:
English
Latin

Background

Scope and content:

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for healthier food choices, improved nutrition labeling, and safer food production practices. Established in 1971 by Dr. Michael Jacobson, CSPI has conducted research, influenced policy, and raised awareness about issues related to nutrition, food safety, and consumer rights. These records primarily include press clippings and mentions of CSPI, as well as Jacobson's speeches and some photographic materials from 1971–2009. The press mentions include information about research, policy initiatives, legal actions, public awareness campaigns, and media coverage.

Biographical / historical:

Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a food safety and nutrition advocacy organization. CSPI was founded in 1971 by Michael F. Jacobson, a microbiologist, James Sullivan, an oceanographer, and Albert Fritsch, a chemist.

In the 1990s CSPI advocated for the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act which led to Nutrition Facts labels mandatory for packaged foods. CSPI advocated to label and eventually eliminate artificial trans-fat found in partially hydrogenated oils. Their work led to businesses such as KFC (World Famous Fried Chicken, food chain), and the city of New York eliminating artificial trans-fat from their restaurant food. In 2015 based on a petition filed by CSPI, the FDA made a final determination that partially hydrogenated oil was no longer “generally recognized as safe” for use in food.

CSPI worked to advocate for multiple food safety and nutrition related legislation, including ‘Food Safety Modernization Act’ in 2011, and ‘Health, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.’

Acquisition information:
The Center for Science in the Public Interest donated these records on December 7, 2023.
Processing information:

Processed by Student Assistant, Eli Clubbs. Processing overseen by Helena Egbert, Processing Archivist. Finding Aid created by Eli Clubbs and Helena Egbert, and reviewed by Cliff Hight, Department Head. 2024.

Arrangement:

Organized in three series: Press Mentions, Speeches, and Photographic Material. The Press Mentions series reflects chronological arrangement in Boxes 1–3 and alphabetical arrangement in Boxes 4–16.

Rules or conventions:
Description based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS).
Preferred citation:

[Item title], [item date], Center for Science in the Public Interest records, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Richard L. D. and Marjorie J. Morse Department of Archives and Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Kansas State University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Consumer movement

Contents

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Restrictions:

All materials are open for research.

Terms of access:

The Center for Science in the Public Interest retains ownership of copyright of the materials the organization created. The Center grants K-State license to use in ways that include, but are not limited to, research access, digitization, display, and exhibition.