False Claims of Poisonous DEW Bottled Water Linked to Deaths Debunked

A viral WhatsApp message falsely claims that “DEW” bottled water has caused 180 deaths in Tanzania and is now in Nigeria, but investigations reveal no evidence supporting this. NAFDAC previously debunked this myth in 2011, confirming the absence of poisonous “DEW” water in Nigeria and reiterating that bottled water cannot be imported into the country.

A recent WhatsApp message has claimed that a bottled water brand named “DEW” has led to the deaths of 180 individuals in Tanzania and is now being shipped to Nigeria. This alarming assertion has circulated widely on social media platforms, including Facebook, leading to public anxiety over possible poisoning from the product. However, it is essential to note that such claims are lacking credible evidence and have been debunked previously.

DUBAWA investigated the viral post that warns against consuming “DEW” bottled water, prompted by its widespread dissemination marked by WhatsApp’s “forwarded many times” label. The message urges individuals to refrain from purchasing or drinking this product, citing Nigerian Customs as the source of this urgent warning about its hazardous nature.

Upon verification, DUBAWA found no credible information supporting the existence of this dangerous bottled water. The claim originally surfaced in 2011, at which time the National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC) firmly denied the presence of any harmful “DEW” bottled water in Nigeria. Their investigations revealed no instances of hospitalization or death linked to this or any other water brand.

To further clarify the matter, DUBAWA checked the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) website, which confirms that bottled water is included on the import prohibition list for the country, rendering the claim about imported “DEW” bottled water implausible. Additionally, a comprehensive internet search yielded no records of deaths in Tanzania associated with this brand, reinforcing the conclusion that the information is unfounded.

The claim regarding the bottled water brand “DEW” causing widespread fatalities in Tanzania and now being introduced to Nigeria has proven to be false. The allegations lack credible evidence and were previously debunked by NAFDAC in 2011. Furthermore, Nigerian Customs’ import prohibition on bottled water further clarifies the issue, ensuring the public that there is no threat from this brand.

Original Source: dubawa.org