What offense occurs when a harmful substance is added to a consumer product before it is sold?

The correct answer, which identifies the offense that occurs when a harmful substance is added to a consumer product before it is sold, is tampering with a consumer product. This crime is defined specifically as the unlawful alteration or introduction of harmful substances into goods that are intended for sale to consumers.

This act poses a significant risk to public safety, as it can result in harm to individuals who unknowingly consume contaminated products. The law takes this offense very seriously, given the potential consequences on health and safety.

The other options, while related to consumer protections, pertain to different aspects. For example, product misbranding pertains to incorrect or misleading labeling rather than contamination. Consumer fraud involves deceptive practices that may defraud consumers but do not specifically involve adding harmful substances to products. Lastly, product adulteration is a broader term that can encompass tampering, but it generally refers to products being altered in a way that affects quality or purity, which may not necessarily imply criminal intent or a harmful addition, making it less precise for this specific scenario.