Misinformation Alert: False Claims About “DEW” Bottled Water and Nigerian Imports

A viral WhatsApp message claims that “DEW” bottled water has caused 180 deaths in Tanzania and is now in Nigeria. However, DUBAWA confirms that this claim is false, as there is no credible evidence supporting it. The National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC) debunked similar claims in 2011, and Nigerian Customs prohibits bottled water imports.

A recent WhatsApp message warning against a bottled water brand called “DEW” has gained traction on social media, claiming it led to 180 deaths in Tanzania and has been shipped to Nigeria. This alarming assertion has prompted panic among consumers, urging them to avoid the product.

DUBAWA investigated this claim and found it to be unfounded, with no credible evidence supporting the allegations. The claim is not new; it resurfaced in 2011 when the National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC) dismissed it, confirming that no poisonous “DEW” water exists in Nigeria.

DUBAWA’s verification process involved a thorough online search for the “DEW bottled water,” which yielded no relevant findings. In fact, NAFDAC’s previous investigations did not find any cases of hospitalization or fatalities linked to this brand or any other bottled water.

Additionally, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) substantiates that bottled water is prohibited from importation into Nigeria, reinforcing the claim’s falsehood. Our comprehensive search revealed no record of deaths in Tanzania related to the alleged “DEW” bottled water.

In conclusion, the circulating claims about the “DEW” bottled water brand being linked to deaths in Tanzania and its importation into Nigeria are false. NAFDAC previously debunked these allegations, confirming that no deaths or hospitalizations have been associated with this product. Furthermore, Nigerian Customs enforces an import ban on bottled water, which negates the possibility of its arrival in the country.

Original Source: dubawa.org