Armenian Water Recall Seen as Cultural Insult

   LOCAL NEWS

Apr. 2, 2007 (KABC) -- Last month's recall of Jermuk brand water due to unsafe levels of arsenic resulted in not just a consumer response but a cultural one.

The mineral water is bottled in the town of Jermuk, Armenia, and is believed to have restorative properties by Armenians.

The large Armenian population who call Glendale and North Hollywood home are reacting strongly to the Food and Drug Administration recall, feeling that there is no health threat, and even feeling insulted since they've consumed Jermuk water for years with no ill effects.

The FDA cited the U.S. standards for arsenic at 10 micrograms per liter. Jermuk was found to have 468 micrograms per liter, but that's below the 700 micrograms allowed in Armenia.

Local distributor Andreas Andreasyan, unable to unload the pallets of Jermuk piling up in his warehouse, is incensed by the recall, and storeowners have kept shelves empty in protest.

Despite the ban, local residents say that they'll continue to drink Jermuk water. That is, if they are able to find it for sale.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•