A WhatsApp message claiming that DEW bottled water has caused 180 deaths in Tanzania and is now in Nigeria has been proven false. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) denied such claims in 2011. Moreover, bottled water cannot be imported into Nigeria, further debunking the allegations.
A false claim has circulated via WhatsApp alleging that a bottled water brand named “DEW” has been linked to the deaths of 180 people in Tanzania and has now made its way to Nigeria. This misinformation can evoke panic and fear among the public, especially considering past incidents of food and beverage contamination. Such alarming messages are rapidly shared across social media, leading to widespread concern even without credible evidence.
The viral message suggests that Nigerian Customs has warned against the consumption of DEW bottled water, stating it was imported from Tanzania and contains a poisonous chemical. Encouraging users to share this information broadly, the message claims that it is critical for saving lives. The significant engagement on WhatsApp, evidenced by its tag indicating the message was “forwarded many times,” reflects its alarming reach.
In response to this statement’s potential ramifications, DUBAWA undertook an investigation into the veracity of the claims. A thorough search for information regarding “Dew bottled water” revealed no credible online evidence supporting the allegations. The claim was previously debunked as far back as 2011 by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which found no occurrence of any poisoned water causing symptoms in hospitals.
Moreover, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) corroborated the doubts surrounding the claim by stating that bottled water is banned from importation into Nigeria, nullifying the possibility that DEW could be present in the country. DUBAWA’s inquiry did not yield any information regarding the existence of DEW bottled water or any confirmed deaths linked to it, further confirming that the claim is indeed false.
In conclusion, the assertion that DEW bottled water, alleged to be responsible for numerous deaths in Tanzania, has reached Nigeria is unfounded. Established facts indicate that bottled water is prohibited from import into Nigeria and that the initial claims were dismissed as early as 2011. Therefore, the spread of such misinformation poses risks by inciting unwarranted fear among the public.
Original Source: dubawa.org
