The FDA is doubling down on its warnings against Real Water Inc. brand bottled water as an outbreak of non-viral hepatitis traced to the water continues to grow. The recalled water is still available as of today.
“The FDA has become aware that Real Water brand alkaline water is still being offered for sale through online retailers,” according to an outbreak update today from the Food and Drug Administration. “The agency is working to locate any remaining products to ensure they are no longer available to consumers. The FDA will continue to monitor this situation closely and follow up with retailers as we become aware of recalled products being offered for sale.”
The Southern Health District of Nevada reports a dozen people have been sickened in the outbreak. Five children required hospitalization but have since recovered.
Investigators from the FDA warned the public in late March that the recalled Real Water brand products were still available online. At that time the agency was conducting an audit of the company. The audit revealed that the company had not notified a number of its distributors of the recall of all of its products.
Real Water operators still have not provided all of the documents requested by the FDA.
“FDA investigators have completed inspections at the Real Water Inc. facilities in Henderson, NV, and Mesa, AZ,” according to the agency update. “FDA has also been provided some of the records requested.
“The FDA is reiterating that it is crucial that consumers, restaurants, distributors, and retailers not drink, cook with, sell, or serve ‘Real Water’ alkaline water. FDA also advises that this water not be served to pets.”
Acute non-viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that occurs suddenly and can lead to liver failure. It can be caused by exposure to some medications, drugs, alcohol, and toxins, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other possible causes of non-viral hepatitis include contaminated water or food, dietary and herbal supplements, traditional or home remedies, wild-growing mushrooms and plants, and chemicals such as metals, solvents, paint thinners, or pesticides.
The public is urged to report any Real Water brand product being offered for sale to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their region.
According to the company’s recall notice, the recalled alkaline water products are available nationwide, however, the 5-gallon containers were distributed to the following areas: greater Las Vegas, NV, area, central California coastal region North of Los Angeles, CA, and South from Santa Barbara, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.
The recall also includes 1.5 liter, 1 liter, 500 ml, and 1-gallon ready-to-drink alkaline water bottles and the 4 oz. concentrate.
Symptoms of all types of hepatitis, including non-viral hepatitis, are similar and can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay or gray-colored bowel movements, joint pain, yellow eyes, and jaundice.
Anyone who has consumed Real Water brand water or concentrate and developed symptoms of hepatitis should contact their doctors and tell them about their possible exposure.
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