Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/263511 
Year of Publication: 
2022
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 15295
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We examine the effect of enforcing minimum quality standards (MQSs) on consumer health. In the late 1800s, the urban milk supply was regularly skimmed and diluted with water, but consumers could not easily determine its quality because dyes, caramel, and salt were added. To protect consumers, milk inspectors were tasked with enforcing a well-defined MQS. Using city-level data for the period 1880-1910, we find that milk inspections reduced mortality from waterborne and foodborne diseases by 8-19 percent. Ours is the first study to provide evidence that MQSs can improve consumer health when directly applied to an experience or credence good.
Subjects: 
milk inspections
infant mortality
waterborne mortality
urban mortality
JEL: 
H75
I18
J18
L51
N31
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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