ARMENIAN ‘FRUIT’ JUICE RECALLED

The Dominion Post
July 20 2009

Yan drinks are being pulled from supermarket shelves after a Commerce
Commission investigation found drinks marketed as high-end "fruit
juice" actually contained no detectable fruit content.

The commission said today Armenian Imports Limited, trading as Super
Juice, imported various drink products from Armenia and sold them in
supermakets across the country under the brand name "Yan".

The commission said it tested products described as 100 percent
blackcurrant juice, 100 percent peach juice and 100 percent pomegranate
juice.

Other claims on the packaging were that the juices were free of added
sugar, preservatives, artificial flavours, colouring or sweeteners.

Tests revealed the blackcurrant and peach juice had few or no signs
of any fruit content, let alone what was stated on the package.

"Testing for the product claimed to be 100 per cent pomegranate
juice indicated that although it may contain some pomegranate juice,
it is unlikely that it is 100 per cent pure pomegranate juice.,"
said the commission.

Another Yan product claiming to be 100 percent apricot juice had not
been tested.

The vitamin C levels reported on the packaging were also called
into question as they did not align with the levels associated with
blackcurrants, peaches or pomegranates.

Commerce Commission director of fair trade, Adrian Sparrow, said
testing clearly showed the labelling on the drink packaging was
incorrect and the distributor had agreed to recall the products until
further testing could determine "the exact nature of the products
they have imported".

"As the exact nature of the products is unknown there is not only
potential contravention of the Fair Trading Act but risk to consumers,"
said Sparrow.

"Although at this stage of the commission’s investigation, there
is no evidence to suggest that these products are unsafe, given the
uncertainty as to the products’ ingredients, the commission advises
consumers to exercise caution if they have known allergies," he added.

Yan products have been stocked by around 30 stores and supermarkets
around the country and buyers can seek a refund from the place of
purchase with a receipt or packaging.

The products have been imported into the country since early 2007,
but a commission spokesperson told BusinessDay it was unclear how
long the products had been sold to the public.

Breaches of the Fair Trading Act can result in a maximum fine of
$200,000 for a company and $60,000 for an individual. The Commerce
Commission said the investigation is continuing.