Which book by Upton Sinclair highlighted the abuses of the meatpacking industry and contributed to significant food safety reforms?

Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" is the correct choice as it vividly exposed the harsh conditions and unethical practices within the meatpacking industry in the early 20th century. Sinclair's detailed depiction of worker exploitation and unsanitary conditions in these processing plants shocked readers and garnered national attention. The visceral accounts of contaminated meat and poor labor conditions played a crucial role in spurring public outrage, leading to a call for reform in food safety standards.

This agitation culminated in the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906, both of which established federal authority to regulate food safety and improve inspection processes. Sinclair’s intent was primarily to advocate for labor rights, but the impact of his work extended beyond that, significantly influencing consumer protection laws. Hence, the powerful narrative presented in "The Jungle" not only shed light on the meatpacking industry but also effectively prompted necessary legislative action to safeguard public health and welfare.