On the basis of criminal cases considered by the courts, the author makes a conclusion about the ambiguity of the approach of law-enforcement bodies and courts for the qualification of deeds under Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the RF. In order to resolve these contradictions in the law-enforcement practice, the author identifies the features of goods (works, services) that do not meet the requirements of safety of life and health of consumers, in the framework of the analyzed norms. The study refines the features of the subject of crimes. Art. 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for criminal liability for the sale of goods (works, services) that do not meet the safety requirements of consumers, rather than purchasers. As a result, the framework for the criminal legal protection of the analyzed norms covers the facts of distribution of goods (works, services) to other persons who cannot be considered consumers under the law. The author justifies the criteria for differentiation of a crime under Art. 238 of the Criminal Code from adjacent structures (Arts. 109.118, 293 of the Criminal Code) and administrative delicts (Art. 6.3, 14.43 of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Russian Federation).