In the fall of 1982 seven people in the Chicago area died after taking poisoned Tylenol capsules. Johnson & Johnson recalled 31 million bottles, worth about $100 million. Tylenol’s share of the market fell to under a tenth.
On November 11, 1982, the company introduced triple-sealed, tamper-resistant packaging. The bottles had plastic seals over their caps and foil seals over their mouths. Within about a year Tylenol had regained most of its market.
The capsules had apparently been tampered with after they reached the shelves. Johnson & Johnson repaired the trust anyway.