Federal Court Shuts Down Nevada Bottled Water Company
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A federal court has permanently stopped a Henderson, Nevada, company from distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water.
In a complaint filed on May 19, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States alleged that Real Water Inc. and AffinityLifestyles.com Inc., along with company officers Brent A. Jones and his son, Blain K. Jones, violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water.
The companies formerly distributed bottled water under the brand names “Re2al Water Drinking Water” and “Re2al Alkalized Water.” While the companies marketed their products as a healthy alternative to tap water, the government alleged that the products in fact consisted of municipal tap water that the defendants processed with various chemicals in violation of current good manufacturing practices, relevant food safety standards and hazard prevention measures.
The FDA received information that at least five children experienced acute non-viral hepatitis (resulting in acute liver failure) after drinking Re2al Water. The agency documented other consumer complaints of illness, including nausea and vomiting, related to the Re2al Water. As a result, the agency warned consumers, restaurants, distributors and retailers not to drink, cook with, sell or serve the product.
“Food and water sold to consumers must be safe,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to work closely with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that bottled water and other products we eat and drink are manufactured in compliance with the law.”
The defendants agreed to settle the suit and be bound by a consent decree of permanent injunction. The order entered by the federal court permanently enjoins the defendants from violating the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and requires that they destroy any food, including any bottled water products, still in their possession. As part of the settlement, the defendants represented that they are no longer engaged in processing, preparing, packing or distributing water or any other type of food. Before processing or distributing any food in the future, the defendants first must notify the FDA in advance, comply with specific remedial measures set forth in the injunction, and permit the FDA to inspect their facilities and procedures.
The permanent injunction imposed on Real Water Inc. reflects the Department of Justice’s and FDA’s commitment to protecting the health of Nevadans and consumers across the country.
The defendants were ordered to stop distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant/Respondent: AffinityLifestyles.com Inc., Real Water Inc., Brent A. Jones, Blain K. Jones
Criminal Charges: Violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water
City and State: Henderson, Nevada
Date: May 19, 2023
Sentence/Outcome: Permanent injunction, destruction of food products, and notification requirements
Dollar Amounts: N/A
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
