Which of the following defines adulteration in drug products?

Adulteration refers to the compromise of a drug's purity or quality due to improper handling, processing, or storage conditions. When a drug product is prepared under unsanitary conditions, it may become contaminated with harmful substances, pathogens, or impurities that can jeopardize patient safety. This is a critical concern in pharmaceutical manufacturing and compounding, as it directly impacts the efficacy and safety of the drug. Adulterated products can pose serious health risks to patients and are subject to regulatory enforcement actions by agencies such as the FDA.

Other options, while potentially concerning for drug product integrity and consumer information, fall under different categories. Misleading or false labeling relates more to misbranding, which involves failing to provide adequate information about the drug, rather than its composition. Decomposed ingredients and outdated labeling information may indicate issues with product quality or labeling accuracy but do not specifically align with the definition of adulteration in the context of public health and safety.