Hoax email claims a man was caught putting HIV-positive blood into a ketchup or tomato sauce dispenser at a fast food restaurant.
Description: Email hoax / Rumor
Circulating since: Oct. 2008 (this version)
Status: False
Example:
Email text contributed by Vicki C., Oct. 28, 2008:
Subject: FW: HIV IN TOMATO SAUCE, Wimpy Warning
BEWARE COLLEAGUES
HIV IN TOMATO SAUCE, Wimpy Warning - Very Important
WARNING!!!
ONLY USE KETCHUP/TOMATO SAUCE IN THE PACKET IN FAST FOOD OUTLETS!!
Yesterday a man was caught placing blood in the ketchup/tomato sauce Dispenser at a fast food outlet (to remain unnamed). It is believed that The man is HIV. So be sure to let your friends/family know. Only use items that come in A closed packet. Please pass it on. SEND this message TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
PEOPLE ARE SICK!!!!
Analysis: This is a 2004-vintage hoax slightly revised for a South African audience in 2007 and 2008. Apart from the addition of the name of a particular fast food restaurant chain in the header of the message (Wimpy), the texts are identical.
Wimpy South Africa has issued a statement labeling the email a hoax and noting that the type of contamination described is impossible because "The tomato sauce served in Wimpy stores is packaged and sealed at the manufacturer and the sauce bottles are not refilled in stores."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention debunked the same message in 2004. Among other reasons cited for its implausibility was the fact that HIV/AIDS is not a food-borne disease:
No incident of food being contaminated with HIV-infected blood or semen has been reported to CDC. Furthermore, CDC has received no reports of HIV infection resulting from eating food, including condiments.HIV does not live long outside the body. Even if small amounts of HIV-infected blood or semen was consumed, exposure to the air, heat from cooking, and stomach acid would destroy the virus. Therefore, there is no risk of contracting HIV from eating food.
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Sources and further reading:
Response to Email Hoax
Wimpy South AfricaHIV Tomato Sauce Is a Hoax
Independent Online (South Africa), 21 November 2008False Email Warns of HIV Blood in Sauces
Cape Argus (South Africa), 24 November 2008HIV+ Blood in Ketchup Dispenser
Urban Legends, 20 March 2006
Last updated: 11/26/08
