Ruth Desmond (circa 1906 – September 30, 1988) was an American consumer advocate best known for her work to have the

Food and Drug Administration The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food ...

increase the amount of peanuts in

peanut butter Peanut butter is a food paste or spread made from ground, dry-roasted peanuts. It commonly contains additional ingredients that modify the taste or texture, such as salt, sweeteners, or emulsifiers. Peanut butter is consumed in many countri ...

. She was known as the "Peanut Butter Grandma". Desmond founded the Federation of Homemakers in 1959 out of her home in

Arlington, Virginia Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is situated in Northern Virginia on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River directly across from the District of Columbia, of which it was once a part. The county i ...

. She founded the federation in reaction to the fact that, during the cranberry crisis of that year, cranberry sauce was being sold (and consumed by her family) despite it being contaminated with a carcinogenic pesticide. She pushed government agencies to adopt food safety policies, including regulations on nitrates in baby food, additives in jelly beans, and caffeine in soft drinks. Desmond once sued the

United States Department of Agriculture The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of com ...

for allowing hot dog manufacturers to place the words "all beef" and "all meat" on their labels even though they included other ingredients. After the court ruled in her favor, she telephoned the

Justice Department A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...

and told them it would be an injustice if they appealed. Desmond died September 30, 1988.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Desmond, Ruth Consumer rights activists 1900s births 1988 deaths People from Arlington County, Virginia Year of birth uncertain