FDA warns people not to drink alkaline 'Real Water' FDA warns people not to drink alkaline 'Real Water' linked to five cases of hepatitis - with one man suffering liver failure and needing transplant: Scientologist CEO apologizes as lawsuits pile up
Brent Jones released a video Tuesday to 'personally apologize' to customers after it was potentially tied to several cases of liver illness in in Nevada
The FDA said Friday it had been alerted to five cases of acute non-viral hepatitis in infants and children in November 2020
The 'only common link' was found to be the 'alkaline water products'
The agency launched an investigation and warned that people should not drink, cook with, sell, or serve Real Water
Jones announced he was pulling the brand from the shelves of retailers and issued a voluntary recall to customers nationwide
Since then, at least four lawsuits have been filed in Clark County District Court from consumers who said they fell ill after drinking the product
One man says he suffered liver failure and was flown to hospital for a transplant after drinking the water
The brand claims to offer 'the healthiest drinking water available'
Alkaline water is not typically known to cause liver problems but its alleged health benefits are disputed
The Food and Drink Administration (FDA) has warned people not to drink alkaline water brand 'Real Water' after a man suffered liver failure and had to undergo a transplant apparently from drinking the product.
The FDA said it had been alerted to five cases of acute non-viral hepatitis that led to liver failure in infants and children in Nevada in November 2020 where the 'only common link' was found to be the brand's 'alkaline water products'.
The agency has launched an investigation and warned people not to drink, cook with, sell, or serve Real Water, which costs around $1.89 for a single 1-liter bottle.
Since then, four suits have been filed in Clark County District Court against the firm from consumers who said they fell ill after drinking the water including one damning claim that a man had to be airlifted to hospital for a liver transplant.
Brent Jones, the company's founder and president, released a video Tuesday to 'personally apologize' to the brand's customers amid the 'deeply concerning' links to liver disease.
Jones, a Scientologist and former Nevada legislator, announced he was pulling the brand from the shelves of retailers and issuing a voluntary recall to customers.
Real Water markets itself as 'the healthiest drinking water available' claiming its higher pH means it can 'detoxify' and 'hydrate like never before' and is a favorite among 'celebrities, athletes, doctors, chiropractors, health practitioners and everyday people.'
Mounting concerns over its potential health risks come after the alkaline water craze has taken off in recent years, with health fanatics buying into its purported benefits including anti-ageing properties, weight loss benefits and claims it can prevent cancer.
The alkaline water market is big business with Global Insights predicting the industry will be worth $4.32 billion by the end of 2023.
However, scientists remain skeptical about its alleged health benefits with research studies so far being limited.