An Indian herbal drink has caused a man to end up in the intensive care unit of the Singapore General Hospital after he drank it in large gulps for indigestion last month.
Preliminary investigations of the Omum water made from the Omum herb, showed that it had a pH level of more than 13, which is equivalent to the alkaline level in chlorine bleach, according to the Health Sciences Authority.
55 year old Mr Gunalan Perumal had taken Omum water as a home remedy many times before, but this time, he said he took a mouthful and immediately felt a burning sensation in his throat and mouth, and started vomiting.
His wife who had bought the drink from a mini-mart in Little India took a sip and her lips started to swell.
According to Mr Gunalan, the drink appeared cloudy which was different from the usual clear liquid.
The importer of the drink, Sri Ambikkas had said the firm has stopped sales and import of the house-brand drink after seeing the case on social media. The Malaysian manufacturer of the drink also produces the same formulation for other brands here.
Other brands of the drink, including some made in Singapore are not affected.
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