Published in 1906, "The Jungle" exposed the unsanitary and inhumane conditions prevalent in Chicago's meatpacking plants. Sinclair's graphic descriptions of the meatpacking process, including the use of diseased animals, the lack of hygiene, and the exploitation of workers, shocked the public and led to significant reforms in the industry.
While Sinclair's primary goal was to expose the plight of working-class immigrants, his vivid portrayal of the meatpacking industry's practices had a profound impact on public health and led to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.