Product tampering

Nature

Product tampering includes both random mass poisoning and the deliberate poisoning of food and drugs as an instrument in commercial blackmail. It is a modern phenomena born in 1980s.

Incidence

The first case of mass food tampering was in 1982 in USA, when four people died after swallowing the pain-relief drug Tylenol, laced with cyanide. There was no blackmail, no claim of responsibility and no arrest.

Claim

To poison food is to break all the taboos about what is natural and good. Our dependency on pre-packaged and hygienic food has made mass poisoning possible. From the criminal's point of view, it has the merits of anonymity and remoteness: he need never come into personal contact with his victim.

Counter-claim

Product tampering is often exaggerated and sensationalized, overshadowing far more pressing issues like climate change and poverty. The likelihood of encountering tampered products is minuscule, and the vast majority of goods are safe and reliable. Focusing on this rare occurrence diverts attention and resources from critical societal challenges. Instead of fearing hypothetical dangers, we should prioritize real-world problems that affect millions daily. Let’s not waste energy on a non-issue that rarely impacts consumers.