Los Angeles Times, CA
March 25 2007
Alert issued on Armenian mineral water
>From a Times Staff Writer
March 25, 2007
Federal officials reissued a warning Saturday against drinking an
Armenian brand of mineral water laced with arsenic that was
distributed by companies in Los Angeles County.
Government tests of the imported Jermuk bottled water showed levels
of arsenic up to 67 times federal safety standards.
At that concentration, arsenic can cause nausea, abdominal pain and
vomiting but is unlikely to cause more serious illness, the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration said in a statement.
No illnesses caused by drinking the water have been reported to the
FDA.
Five brands of the bottled water have been recalled, all with Jermuk
in the name. They were distributed by Arnaz & Nelli Co. of North
Hollywood, Zetlian Bakery Inc. of Pico Rivera, Importers Direct
Wholesale Co. of Los Angeles and Kradjian Importing Co. of Glendale.
The FDA is still investigating whether other brands are similarly
tainted.