FDA warns against Real Water brand linked to hepatitis outbreak

Federal regulators are cautioning U.S. consumers against drinking "Real Water," a Las Vegas-based product that is still sold online and promoted on social media despite being recalled due to an outbreak of liver illness that has hospitalized five children. 

The warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration comes as the agency, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Southern Nevada Health District, investigate reports of acute non-viral hepatitis in Nevada linked to the brand of alkaline water.  "The FDA has become aware that 'Real Water' brand alkaline water is still being offered for sale through online retailers," the regulatory agency stated on Wednesday. In assessing the effectiveness of the company's voluntary recall last month, the FDA also found a number of distributors had not been notified by the company of the recall.