The health and well-being of consumers is protected by a variety of statutes and rules of laws. Most states have laws governing the manufacture of various products and establishing product safety standards. The federal Consumer Product Safety Act provides for research and the setting of uniform standards for products in order to reduce health hazards. This act also establishes civil and criminal penalties for the distribution of unsafe products. It also recognizes the right of a person to sue for money damages and to obtain an injunction against the distribution of unsafe products.  The Act also creates a Consumer Product Safety Commission to administer it.

The federal Anti-Tampering Act makes it a federal crime to tamper with consumer products.