A video alleging mass poisoning of children by watermelons in Uzbekistan went viral on social media in late June and early July. However, Factcheck.kz investigated the footage and confirmed it is fake news.
The original TikTok video showed orange liquid, plastic containers, and equipment, with a voiceover calling it a "chemical bomb." The clip quickly spread to Instagram, Telegram, and other platforms, with some versions also mentioning melons and overcrowded hospitals.
Factcheck.kz found no official reports or media confirmations of any poisoning incidents in Uzbekistan. The country's Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-being also denied the claims.
Analysis of the video revealed that the orange liquid is actually mineral fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, common essential nutrients for plant growth. These substances are used in regulated amounts and pose no harm to human health, even appearing in organically grown produce.
The viral video is, therefore, misleading and should not be trusted.
Source: uz.kursiv.media
