Abstract: The present invention involves a tamper-proof apparatus and method for assuring the integrity of containers of consumer goods. A special carton, which becomes part of the retail display, has a plurality of controlled dispensing openings such that once a container has been removed, it cannot be replaced in the carton. Accordingly, a container cannot be removed from the carton, its contents altered, and the container replaced in the carton to be purchased by an unwitting consumer. Several alternative systems are employed for assembling the carton in a secure, tamper-proof manner. Further, if the carton is loaded at the point of manufacture or distribution, once the carton is loaded, the carton is sealed to provide indicia of potential tampering between the point of manufacture or distribution and the ultimate point of sale at a retail location.

Abstract: A method of dispensing food and drug products in a tamper-proof manner includes sealing the products within a tamper-proof container at the manufacturing and/or packaging site and not opening the container until it reaches the retail destination at which point a tamper-proof dispensing unit is attached to the container so that individual products can be removed from the container but cannot be reinserted into the container.