Debunking the False Claims of Poisonous “DEW” Bottled Water in Nigeria
Recent claims that “DEW” bottled water has caused 180 deaths in Tanzania and has been imported to Nigeria are false. An investigation by Dubawa revealed that these allegations are unfounded, as there is no credible evidence or record of this brand existing. Similar claims were debunked by NAFDAC in 2011. Furthermore, bottled water is prohibited from being imported to Nigeria, affirming the falsehood of the circulating claims.
Recent claims circulating on WhatsApp allege that a bottled water brand named “DEW” has caused the deaths of 180 individuals in Tanzania and has been imported to Nigeria. These assertions have incited significant concern, urging people to refrain from consuming the product. However, a thorough investigation by Dubawa ensures that these claims are entirely unfounded and lack credible evidence.
The viral message, which claims that the Nigerian Customs issued a warning against the “DEW” bottled water, has proliferated widely across social media platforms like Facebook. The message asks recipients to share it widely to prevent fatalities, asserting, “Urgent; please pass this to any loved ones—… Customs said it was shipped into Nigeria from Tanzania, where it has killed 180 people.”
Upon examining the claim, Dubawa conducted a comprehensive search on the internet and found no verifiable information regarding any such contaminated product. Moreover, this misinformation is not new; it dates back to 2011 when the Nigerian National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC) refuted similar allegations, stating that investigations revealed no instances of hospitalization or fatalities associated with “DEW” bottled water.
Additionally, a review of the Nigerian Customs Service’s website confirms that bottled water falls under the import prohibition list, indicating it could not have been imported into Nigeria. Thus, reiterating the falsehood of the viral claims. A broader search revealed no records of any bottled water brand named “DEW” nor any deaths in Tanzania connected to such a product.
In conclusion, the assertions regarding the “DEW” bottled water causing deaths in Tanzania and reportedly being shipped to Nigeria are devoid of any truth. The claims reflect a recurring false narrative that has been debunked since 2011. Given the import prohibition of bottled water into Nigeria and the absence of credible evidence, it is crucial for the public to verify information before sharing such alarming claims.
Original Source: dubawa.org
