A viral WhatsApp message claimed that ‘DEW’ bottled water caused 180 deaths in Tanzania and was imported to Nigeria, prompting warnings from Nigerian Customs. DUBAWA found this claim to be false, as there is no credible evidence supporting it. The message is a recurring allegation, already debunked by NAFDAC in 2011, further clarified by the NCS import prohibition on bottled water.
A recent viral WhatsApp message asserts that a bottled water brand named ‘DEW’ has allegedly caused the deaths of 180 people in Tanzania and has now been imported to Nigeria. This alarming claim warned consumers against drinking this water, mentioning an urgent alert from Nigerian Customs to help save lives. The message has proliferated across social media, notably on Facebook, leading to widespread concern regarding public safety.
Upon investigation, DUBAWA found no credible evidence to substantiate these claims. A keyword search yielded no results related to ‘Dew bottled water.’ Notably, the National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC) previously debunked similar rumors in 2011, confirming that no such dangerous product was present in Nigeria. Investigations conducted by NAFDAC reported no hospitalizations relating to the alleged ‘Dew’ water.
Additionally, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) confirmed that bottled water is listed on the import prohibition list, rendering the claim false. As per their records, there were no reported incidents or deaths connected to the alleged ‘Dew’ brand either in Tanzania or Nigeria. The propagation of this misinformation highlights the challenges posed by health-related rumors circulating on social media, particularly in a country already sensitive to food and beverage contamination issues.
This false claim about ‘Dew’ bottled water has resurfaced repeatedly since 2011, with no substantiated evidence linking it to any deaths. The Nigerian Customs Service’s prohibition against bottled water imports further clarifies the inaccuracy of the message. Therefore, consumers should remain vigilant and depend on verified sources for health-related information to avoid undue panic and misinformation.
Original Source: dubawa.org
