In November 2020, the Southern Nevada Health District became aware of children and infants who were hospitalized after reportedly drinking the Real Water– one incident even resulted in acute liver failure.
Helpful Links
- FDA: Investigation of Acute Non-viral Hepatitis Illnesses – “Real Water” Brand Alkaline Water (March 2021) Do not drink, cook with, sell, or serve “Real Water” alkaline water
- CDC: Acute Non-Viral Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology Potentially Associated with an Alkaline Water Product
Recently, in March 2021, five more people, including two adults and three children, were reported to have symptoms as well. All five patients had been hospitalized but have since recovered. All patients were reported to have consumed “Real Water” brand alkaline water. These patients came from four different households. Five additional people, two adults, and three children, from two of the four households, were reported to have experienced other symptoms as well. Less severe symptoms included fever, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
Epidemiologists believe the only common link between the acute hepatitis cases is “Real Water”, as all patients who were treated had consumed it. Non-viral hepatitis symptoms include abdominal pain, dark urine, clay or gray-colored bowel movements, fever, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
The products include 5-gallon containers that are sold through home delivery or subscription, bottles sold online and in stores, and “Real Water” concentrate which is sold online. Real water is sold in 1 gallon, 1 liter, 500 mL, and 1.5-liter plastic bottles, as well as a 750 ml glass bottle.
According to records online, the 5-gallon containers were delivered to:
- Honolulu, HI through Aloha Water
- Orange County, CA through Paradise Bottling Company
- St. George, UT through Real Water Southern Utah
- Tucson, AZ through Aqua Pure
- Ventura and Santa Barbara, CA through Real Water Gold Coast
The Food and Drug Administration continues to monitor the situation, and an investigation has been issued. Real Water Inc. is headquartered in Mesa, Arizona.
Again, the consumption of “Real Water” brand alkaline water is the only common link identified among all of these cases to date. This brand of alkaline water is owned by Real Water Inc., headquartered in Mesa, Arizona.
March 31, 2021 update from the CDC:
CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were notified of five cases of acute non-viral hepatitis of unknown etiology in children by the SNHD in Nevada on March 13, 2021. The cases occurred in children ranging in ages from seven months to five years who presented to a hospital between November 10, 2020, and December 3, 2020, with signs and symptoms of vomiting, poor intake, and fatigue. Laboratory testing on the patients showed elevated hepatic transaminases, hyperbilirubinemia, coagulopathy, and a negative viral hepatitis serology panel. All patients required transfers to a pediatric tertiary-care specialty liver unit because of concerns for acute liver failure and the possible need for liver transplantations. All children recovered and were discharged home. In addition to these cases, several adults and other children living in the cases’ households reported similar but mostly less severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and fatigue.
Information to date from the preliminary epidemiologic investigation supports that there is a strong link between these cases of acute non-viral hepatitis and Real Water alkaline water. Real Water, Inc. owns this brand of alkaline water and has headquarters in Mesa, Arizona. This product is available in 5-gallon, 3-gallon, 1 gallon, 1.5 liters, 1 liter, and 500 ml bottles, and “Real Water” concentrate. Bottles and concentrate products are available for purchase online and in stores nationwide. Real Water has issued a recall on their products. The FDA advises consumers, restaurants, and retailers not to drink, cook with, sell, or serve Real Water alkaline water until more information is known about the cause of the illnesses. Further, FDA advises that Real Water not be given to pets.
Questions About a Real Water Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer for a Free Case Review.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Hepatitis after drinking “Real Water” brand bottled water, you may want to contact the food poisoning lawyers at our law firm, as you may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please contact us using the form below or by calling us at (800) 279-6386.
We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry we receive.
Free Case Evaluation
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (800) 279-6386.