In September 1982, seven people died in the Chicago area after swallowing Tylenol capsules that had been tainted with cyanide, replaced in their packaging and put on store shelves for sale. Johnson & Johnson maintained that the tampering could not have been foreseen, and was therefore not their fault, but still recalled all Tylenol capsules and canceled advertising at a pre-tax loss estimated at $100 million. It also developed a capsule-shaped tablet that would be more difficult to tamper with. In doing this, Johnson & Johnson…

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Johnson & Johnson handled the situation in a socially responsible way by voluntarily recalling all Tylenol capsules, canceling advertising, and developing a safer product to prevent tampering. Although they maintained that the tampering could not have been foreseen and therefore may not have accepted product liability, their actions after the incident demonstrate a commitment to public safety and responsibility.

In September 1982, Seven People Died in the Chicago Area