The rise of consumer capitalism -- Consumption contested -- The organized consumer -- Consumer risk -- Consumer information -- Standards versus contracts -- Price and quality -- The consumer as citizen.

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,...