Panorama.am

14:02 09/03/2007

US authorities do not complain of the `Jermuk Group’

Content of the chemical element arsenic in mineral water `Jermuk’ is
in maximum admissible norm. Edgar Ghazaryan, Advisor of the president
of `Jermuk Group’ CJSC, told talking to a correspondent of
Panorama.am, commenting on the information spread by US Food and Drug
Administration regarding that mineral water `Jermuk’, which is being
from Armenia, contains arsenic and is dangerous for health.

According to E. Ghazaryan, all mineral waters of Armenia contain
arsenic, with what their all the curing properties are
conditioned. Least of all this substance is in `Jermuk’. According to
All-Union State Standard, the content of this element in 1 liter of
water should be no less than 0.7 microgram.

He mentioned that it is said in the FDA’s information that content of
arsenic exceeding the maximum permissible norm, was found in a sample
of Armenian mineral waters under the name of `Jermuk’, being imported
to the USA. However, it is not clarified to whom concretely the
product belonged. `FDA has only warned its consumers about it yet’, he
noted, adding that at the same time it is said in the information that
the examination of the samples are still in process, and the consumers
will be informed additionally about the results. FDA has not made a
final statement yet regarding `Jermuk’. E. Ghazaryan also informed
that as an exporter, the company `Jermuk Group’ has not received any
complaint or statement from its foreign partners, neither from the FDA
nor from other representatives of US authorities. According to the
advisor of the company, since 2000 `Jermuk Group’ regularly exports
its product to the USA, and no concern has been made from the USA
within these 7 years, as the produt has always met their adopted
standards.

To note, it is mentioned in the FDA information that 500 ml of liquid
were sampled, as a result of which 500-600 micrograms of arsenic were
contained per liter of `Jermuk’, whereas the standards of US FDA
accept no more than 10 micrograms per liter

Source: Panorama.am