ALERT: Kano warns against purchase of fake juice drinks as ’10 die, 400 hospitalised’

No fewer than 10 people have reportedly died while 50 others are undergoing kidney-related treatments due to the consumption of “substandard and fake” juices in Kano state.

Ibrahim Tsanyawa, the state commissioner of health, made the disclosure on Thursday while giving updates on the recent outbreak.

The commissioner warned residents against purchasing juices, saying over 400 have been hospitalised so far.

According to Tsanyawa, the consumption of the said juices has affected the victims’ kidneys and other vital organs.

“As you are aware, the ministry of health had in the recent past announced the outbreak of a strange disease traceable to the consumption of substandard juices,” the commissioner said.

“The consumption of this fake and substandard product has telling effects on the kidney, and other vital organs of the body.

“Due to excessive heat that coincides with Ramadan, there is a possibility for high patronage of juices; I want to use this opportunity to caution residents to be on the watch-out.”

Hadiza Namadi, public relations officer of the state’s ministry of health, also warned the residents against taking the drinks, which she said are still in the market.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had said the flavoured drinks contain a poisonous chemical called ‘Hyroxylamine’.

The regulatory agency had said the chemical was brought into the country illegally.