The Real Water hepatitis outbreak is the number eight outbreak of 2021 with 21 probable cases. There are also four suspected cases in this outbreak. The outbreak is considered "non-viral hepatitis," which means it was not caused by a virus, but instead caused acute liver damage through inflammation. This inflammation scars the liver tissue and liver failure can be the result. It can be caused by chemicals, contaminated water or food, solvents, metals, pesticides, paint thinners, prescription and over the counter drugs, and nutritional supplements. The patient case count by state is: California (3 probable cases) and Nevada (18 probable cases, four suspect cases). There are no confirmed cases because a causative agent for the illnesses has not been identified. Illness onset dates … [Read more...]
Real Water Non Viral Hepatitis Outbreak Ends With 21 Probable Cases
The Real Water non viral hepatitis outbreak has ended, according to the FDA. The investigation has been closed, although it is still important that consumers, restaurants, distributors, and retailers not drink, cook with, sell, or serve "Real Water" alkaline water that was produced by that company. And that water should not be served to pets. In the end, there were 21 probable illnesses and four suspected illnesses in this outbreak. Twenty one of the probable cases were hospitalized, and two of the suspect cases were hospitalized. One of the patients died. The last illness onset date was November 29, 2020. The patient case count by state is: California (3 probable), and Nevada (18 probable, 4 suspect). Real Water Inc. is not currently in operation, but it is possible that these … [Read more...]
Mystery Listeria Outbreak Ends; Three Other Outbreaks Still Active
The mystery Listeria outbreak has ended, and three other outbreaks on the FDA Core Outbreak Investigation Table are still active, according to the FDA. The three active outbreak investigations include the Salmonella Oranienburg outbreak linked to onions imported from Mexico; the Salmonella Thompson outbreak linked to Northeast Seafood in Colorado; and the acute non-viral hepatitis outbreak linked to Real Water Alkaline Bottled Water. The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak sickened 20 people, which is large for an outbreak caused by that pathogen. We do not know which states the patients live in, how many are sick in each state, illness onset dates, whether or not anyone was hospitalized, or patient age ranges. The FDA did initiate traceback, they conducted on-side inspections, and … [Read more...]
Active Food Poisoning Outbreak Investigations From FDA and USDA
What are the current active food poisoning outbreak investigations that the FDA and USDA are investigating? While there have been several outbreak investigations that have closed, there are still six open investigations on the FDA Outbreak Table, and one, possibly two, investigations on the USDA Table. On the FDA Table, there are two cyclospora outbreak investigations. Neither has any product linked to it. The first outbreak has 37 patients, an increase of two more patients since the last update 12 days ago. Traceback has been initiated, but there has been no on-site inspection, no sample collection, and no analysis. The second cyclospora outbreak has 119 patients, an increase of one patient since the last update. Traceback has begun, on-site inspection has been initiated, and … [Read more...]
Real Water Ordered To Stop Distributing Adulterated Real Water Products
Real Water ordered to stop distributing adulterated Real Water products by a federal court. The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada has permanently enjoined AffinityLifestyles Inc. and Real Water Inc. from preparing, processing, and distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water. The water is allegedly the only common link between five children who developed non-viral hepatitis and acute liver failure in late 2020. The alkaline water products may also be associated with non-viral hepatitis cases in seven adults. The water products were marketed as a healthy alternative to tap water, but the government alleges that the products consisted of municipal tap water that the defendants processed with various chemicals in violation of good manufacturing practices, relevant … [Read more...]
Real Water Ceased Operations After Non-Viral Hepatitis Outbreak
The FDA has announced that Real Water ceased operations after the non-viral hepatitis outbreak associated with their alkaline water may have sickened at least 16 people. According to a consent decree complaint, the company allegedly failed to comply with FDA manufacturing requirements. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey entered a consent decree of permanent injunction on June 1, 2021 between the United States and AffinityListstyles.com Inc, which is the majority shareholder of Real Water Inc. According to the compliant filed by the Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA, the defendants allegedly violated the FD&C Act by operating facilities that failed to meet preventive controls requirements to control food hazards. The complaint also alleges that the products are … [Read more...]
What Are the Current Food Poisoning Outbreaks in the U.S.?
What are the current food poisoning outbreaks in the U.S.? There are three active foodborne illness outbreak investigations that are ongoing, and one outbreak linked to a type of bottled water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those four outbreaks do not include the active E. coli O145:H28 outbreak on the FDA's CORE Investigation Outbreak table, which has no food or facility associated with it yet. Salmonella Hadar Ground Turkey Outbreak The first current food poisoning outbreak is the Salmonella Hadar outbreak linked to ground turkey that was last updated on April 12, 2021. At least 28 people from 12 states are sick in that outbreak. Two people have been hospitalized because they are so ill. Three brands of ground turkey have been recalled in … [Read more...]
Real Water Hepatitis Outbreak Increases to 11 Sick and 1 Probable Case
The Real Water hepatitis outbreak has increased to 11 people sick and 1 probable case, according to an update from the FDA. This is a non-viral hepatitis outbreak, which means that particular brand of alkalized water may have caused liver inflammation. This outbreak is not caused by the contagious hepatitis virus. The one probable case meets the case definition but has not been tested for viral hepatitis to rule that out. There are three kinds of non-viral hepatitis. The first is caused by consuming too much alcohol; the second is an auto-immune disease where the immune system attacks the liver; and the third is caused by chemicals, prescription and non-prescription medications, and nutritional supplements. This is an increase of six new cases since the last update was released … [Read more...]
Non-Viral Hepatitis Real Water Still Being Sold; A Number of People Sickened
The FDA has updated its investigation into the non-viral hepatitis real water outbreak, and the agency states that this water is still being sold through online retailers. The statement also reinforces the face that more people other than the five Nevada children have been sickened, stating that "a number of reports" of acute non-viral hepatitis have been received that are associated with Real Water brand alkaline water. The FDA is working to locate any remaining products to make sure they are not available to consumers. Since it is illegal to sell recalled products, the government is going to "follow up" with retailers as officials become aware of this brand being offered for sale Since the last update on March 31, 2021, FDA investigators have completed inspections at the Real … [Read more...]
Possible Real Water Non-viral Hepatitis Outbreak Prompts CDC HAN Alert
The possible Real Water non-viral hepatitis outbreak is prompting a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Alert Network (HAN) Alert. Five cases of acute non-viral hepatitis of unknown etiology were reported to the Southern Nevada Heath District between November and December 2020. The CDC is assisting the investigation about a potential link between those illnesses and consumption of Real Water alkaline water and other possible etiologies. The CDC and FDA were notified about those five Nevada cases by the SNHD in Nevada on March 13, 2021. The patient age range is from seven months to five years. The children were taken to a hospital between November 10, 2020, and December 3, 2020, with vomiting, poor intake, and fatigue. Lab testing on the paints showed elevated … [Read more...]
