Nigerian cleaning brand Hypo Bleach has issued an urgent public safety warning after a disturbing social media trend began circulating online, with users sharing videos and AI-generated images portraying the popular bleach product as a drinkable beverage.
In a strongly worded statement released Sunday, the company’s Marketing Manager, Adebayo Adeyemo, confirmed that the images are entirely fabricated and condemned the framing as dangerous.
“Those images are fabricated, that framing is false, and anyone encouraging others to consume Hypo, even as a joke, even for views, is putting lives at risk,” the statement read.
Hypo, which markets itself as Nigeria’s number one bleach brand, is a chemical cleaning product formulated to remove stains, whiten fabrics, deodorize surfaces, and eliminate 99.9% of germs. Consumption of bleach can cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, throat, and digestive tract, and can be fatal.
The company directed pointed remarks at social media influencers and content creators, urging them to recognise the real-world consequences of their reach. “A trend that ends in ill-health is not a trend worth starting,” the statement said.
Hypo also addressed young Nigerians directly, cautioning them against succumbing to peer pressure online or offline. “You do not have to prove anything to anyone,” the brand stated, adding that anyone feeling pressured to participate in the trend should recognise it as harm, not a dare.
Beyond the immediate safety warning, the company used the statement to raise broader concerns about mental health, encouraging Nigerians to monitor the emotional wellbeing of those around them and seek professional help where necessary. “Depression is real and should be treated with utmost concern,” the statement noted.
The release closed with a call for responsible social media use, urging Nigerians to keep online spaces “fun, but safe.”
Health authorities have not yet issued a formal response to the trend at the time of publication.
For health emergencies, contact your nearest hospital or healthcare professional immediately.
