FDA warning to avoid alkaline ‘Real Water’ brand after man suffers LIVER failure and others contract hepatitis
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning people to avoid drinking alkaline water brand, Real Water, after a man suffered liver failure and had to undergo a transplant.
The caution comes after the FDA says it was alerted to five cases of acute non-viral hepatitis that caused liver failure in Nevada last year, with the “only common link” being Real Water.
Those five cases involved infants and children, all of whom recovered, the FDA said. Six others, including three adults, experienced more minor symptoms, including ever, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
The government agency has launched an investigation into the matter and is warning consumers and businesses not to drink or serve Real Water.
The FDA also cautioned that the drink, which typically costs $1.89 for a one-litre bottle, should also not be used for cooking purposes until their probe concludes.
Since the investigation was announced, four lawsuits have been filed in Clark County District Court against Real Water from 12 consumers who say they all fell ill after drinking the product.
Among the plaintiffs is, Myles Hunwardsen, who says he had to be airlifted to hospital and undergo surgery for a liver transplant in September 2019 after drinking the alkaline water.
Real Water founder and president, Brent Jones, released a videoed statement Tuesday to personally apologize to customers about the “deeply concerning” links between its water and liver disease.
Jones, a Scientologist, said he is pulling the products from the shelves of retailers and issuing a voluntary recall to all customers.
“First, we’d like to express our deepest sympathy and concern over the events that led to the inquiry,” Jones began in the video.
“We started Real Water with the intention to provide a healthy product that benefits and elevates people’s lifestyles. We are deeply saddened to learn that anything otherwise could be the result.”
Jones also pledged that the company will be cooperating fully with the FDA probe, adding: “This recall is deeply concerning because you should never have any worry about the safety of any of our products.
“As the majority owner and offender of Real Water I want you to know that I stand behind every product we sell and safety will always be our top priority.
“I want to personally apologize to our customers and I assure you that the lessons learned will drive further improvements in the brand,” he continued.
According to Jones, all five of the incidents under FDA investigation are connected to its Las Vegas home and office delivery service.
However, the company has issued a voluntary nationwide recall out of an abundance of precaution, until “the safety of our product is clearly established,” Jones said.
Real Water, which bills itself as the “healthiest drinking water available”, makes around $1 billion in sales annually.
The company claims its water’s high pH levels allows it to “detoxify” and “hydrate like never before”. It also says the product is a firm favorite among celebrities, athletes and doctors.
The alkaline market generally has been booming in recent years, with health fanatics preaching purported benefits such as anti-ageing properties and cancer prevention.
While scientists remain sceptical over such claims, the industry is predicted to be worth around $4.32 billion by the end of 2023, according to Global Insights.
In a statement announcing it’s probe, the FDA said: “The FDA is committed to protecting the health of Americans and is especially concerned when there is a food safety issue impacting our youngest, and some of the most vulnerable in the population – infants and young children.
“We are working to determine how the alkaline water may be related to the illnesses. Although the investigation is ongoing, epidemiologic information currently indicates that this alkaline water product may be the cause of the illnesses.”
It appears some stores have already either recalled or ceased selling the product themselves, including Publix, Costco and Whole Foods.
Most read in US News
More to follow…
For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online.
The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS.