FDA issues a recall on "Jermuk" brand water products

AP Worldstream
Published: Mar 24, 2007

The Food and Drug Administration re-issued a warning Saturday to
consumers not to drink several brands of Jermuk mineral water the
agency says may expose humans to arsenic, a toxic substance known to
cause cancer.

According to agency officials, there is little chance that someone
would become seriously ill after drinking the water over a short
period of time.

"However, it is likely that the person would experience nausea,
abdominal pain and possibly vomiting, which are indicators of arsenic
toxicity," the agency said in a statement.

Jermuk water is imported from Armenia and distributed under different
brand labels in California. Five brands have been recalled since March
7. No illnesses have been reported.

The latest recall, which was initiated on March 16 by the product’s
distributor, Andreas Andreasyan DBA Arnaz & Nelli Co. of North
Hollywood, is for Jermuk Natural Mineral Water Fortified with Gas from
the Spring.

The following brands of the water were recalled on March 7, according
to the FDA:

_ Jermuk Original Sparkling Natural Mineral Water Fortified With
Natural Gas From The Spring. It is contained in glass bottles.

_ Jermuk, 1951, Natural Mineral Water, contained in plastic bottles.

_ Jermuk Sodium Calcium Bicarbonate and Sulphate Mineral Water.

_ Jermuk Natural Mineral Water Sparkling.