Controversial Real Water Brand Still Available For Purchase Despite 2021 Recall

In a shocking twist, a drinking water brand that was recalled in 2021, leading to a staggering $3 billion court ruling, is still being sold at a wine store in Beverly Hills. This alarming situation unfolds as five children and three adults have taken legal action against Real Water, a Nevada-based water company. They claim that the alkaline water produced by the company contained hydrazine, a toxic chemical that caused liver damage among all plaintiffs, including children as young as 7 months old. The legal battle has raised serious concerns about consumer safety and the accountability of food and beverage companies.

According to reports, the plaintiffs were airlifted to a children's hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the fall of 2020, where they were assessed for potential liver transplants that ultimately did not occur. The ongoing lawsuits highlight the far-reaching implications of this case, as it continues to attract attention years after Real Water voluntarily recalled all its products after being linked to non-viral hepatitis cases in the Las Vegas area.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Justice have conducted multiple investigations into the company's practices. As of September 25, 2024, Real Water remains out of operation due to non-compliance with FDA regulations, yet the brand's products are still available for purchase across the country, raising urgent questions about consumer protections. The FDA has advised customers to discard any remaining bottles of the recalled water immediately.

Despite the recall, Newsweek has reported that Real Water is still being sold across the nation. Earlier this summer, the publication successfully ordered the water from a website belonging to a South Carolina-based grocer, and just this week, it was found on the shelves at Robert Burns Wines in Beverly Hills, California. The store listed Real Alkalized Water in a 1-liter size for $2.50.

When contacted by phone, an associate at Robert Burns Wines mentioned that while the product was listed online, they could not find it in-store. However, a spokesperson later confirmed via email that the store indeed carries the water and currently has the 1-liter size in stock, with plans to restock the 500-milliliter size soon. As of now, the spokesperson has yet to respond to further inquiries regarding the store's awareness of the recall.

In the official 2021 recall notice, the FDA strongly advised any customers who have purchased the water to discard it immediately without consuming it. Symptoms associated with non-viral hepatitis can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay or gray-colored bowel movements, joint pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and jaundice.