A viral claim about “DEW” bottled water causing deaths in Tanzania and being imported to Nigeria is false. DUBAWA’s investigation revealed that this rumor was debunked by NAFDAC in 2011, confirming that no such contaminated product exists and that bottled water imports are prohibited in Nigeria.
A claim circulating on social media alleges that a bottled water brand named “DEW” has been linked to 180 deaths in Tanzania and is now in Nigeria. However, this assertion is false and lacks credible evidence. Such misinformation, particularly about health, can induce undue panic and lead individuals to avoid safe products.
The alarming message, widely shared on platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, claims that Nigerian Customs has issued warnings regarding the water, urging people to refrain from drinking it to “save lives.” The viral nature of the post was evident due to WhatsApp’s “forwarded many times” tag.
DUBAWA undertook an investigation into the claim. A search for information on “Dew bottled water” yielded no credible results. The Nigerian National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC) addressed a similar rumor in 2011, confirming that there was no evidence of any dangerous bottled water linked to illnesses in the country.
Further scrutiny involved checking the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) website for relevant statements. The customs authority lists bottled water among prohibited imports, adding to the invalidity of the claim. Additionally, no data or reports substantiate any deaths in Tanzania connected to this brand of water.
The claim regarding the “DEW” bottled water being linked to deaths in Tanzania and its presence in Nigeria is unfounded. NAFDAC and NCS have previously debunked such rumors, demonstrating that bottled water imports are prohibited in Nigeria. There are no verified reports of deaths related to this brand, reinforcing the falsehood of the claims circulating on social media.
Original Source: dubawa.org
