On Sunday, Dubai Municipality took to social media to deny the latest rumor circulating online, which claimed that the Pepsi drink transmits Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), according to Khaleej Times.
In a statement, Dubai Municipality said the rumor was a hoax since HIV and AIDS cannot be transmitted through food or carbonated drinks.
Here is the official statement by Dubai Municipality:
The official statement by Dubai Municipality read: “The rumor is a scorn for people because HIV is not transmitted through food. According to the World Health Organization, the transmission of this disease can only happen through:
- Blood, by co-use of needles, injections, cotton or transfusions
- Sexual intercourse
- AIDS can be transmitted from pregnant mothers to children
Therefore, HIV is not transmitted through food or drink altogether."
Furthermore, Dubai Municipality has called on residents to contact its call center to authenticate any "unverified and confusing information" they might receive on social media.
The UAE government has previously stated that rumors could potentially "damage an economy, threaten public security, and just generally spread terror and fear through society".
Spreading any false rumors is a criminal offense that can be prosecuted, punished with jail terms of up to 3 years, and deportation.