Libraries
Identity elements
Reference code
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1971 - 2009 (Creation)
Extent
14.75 cubic feet in 16 boxes
Name of creator
Biographical history
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.’
Content and structure elements
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.
System of 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.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
All materials are open for research.
Physical access
Can be physically accessed in Hale Library's fifth floor reading room.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
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.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
- Latin
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
The Center for Science in the Public Interest donated these records on December 7, 2023.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
These records align with the collecting goals of the Consumer Movement Archives, especially as they pertain to food safety, food labeling practices, and food security.
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Specialized notes
- Citation: [Item title], [item date], Center for Science in the Public Interest records, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Description based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS).
Sources used
Archivist's note
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.