adulterated

Adulterated is an adjective used to describe a product that has been altered in a way that reduces its safety, quality, or purity. In practice, adulteration refers to the deliberate or accidental inclusion of inferior or unauthorized substances that change the composition or safety of a product. Common forms include diluting liquids with water; substituting higher quality ingredients with cheaper ones; adding unrelated materials to increase volume; contamination with foreign substances; or mislabeling to conceal the alteration.

Regulatory frameworks in many countries prohibit adulteration in foods, medicines, cosmetics, and related products. In the United States, for example, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and related regulations empower agencies to prohibit adulteration, seize illicit goods, impose fines, and pursue criminal charges. Similar provisions exist in other jurisdictions, often with specialized agencies responsible for food safety, drug quality, and consumer protection. Penalties can include recalls, civil penalties, business closures, and personal liability for managers or manufacturers.

Detection and enforcement rely on quality control, routine sampling, laboratory analysis, and supply-chain traceability. Producers may implement third-party audits, tamper-evident packaging, and accurate labeling to prevent adulteration, while regulators may investigate consumer complaints, inspect facilities, and test products in the market.

Adulteration poses risks to public health and consumer trust. It is distinct from natural impurities or standard recipe variation and is treated as a violation of safety and honesty in trade. Related issues include misbranding and contamination, which may occur independently or alongside adulteration.