Federal Anti-Tampering Act – 1983

On October 13, 1983, the President signed the Federal Anti-Tampering Act (P.L. 98-127).

This Act amends Title 18 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) to establish graduated penalties for tampering with a consumer product with intent to cause injury or death.

The penalties range from a maximum of $25,000 and 10 years imprisonment in the case of an attempt to tamper, to a maximum of $100,000 and life imprisonment, in a case where death results from the tampering.

In addition, FATA establishes penalties for:

1. Tampering with or mislabeling consumer products with intent to injure a business;

2. Knowingly communicating false information about tainting of a consumer product, if such tainting occurred, that would create a risk of death or bodily injury;

3. Threatening to tamper with a consumer product in a manner to create a risk of death or bodily injury; and,

4. Conspiracy to tamper with a consumer product.

A “consumer product” is any article subject to the Act and FDA is the designated authority to investigate violations.