Russia Has Not Provided Armenia With Any Basis for Laboratory Testing Related to 'Jermuk': FSIS Representative

Russia has formally notified Armenia regarding the issue related to 'Jermuk' mineral water. Anush Harutyunyan, head of the public awareness, consulting, and outreach department at Armenia's Food Safety Inspection Body (FSIS), informed Factor.am about this.

“In connection with the issue, the Russian side has asked us to take measures and provide them with information about the exporters of 'Jermuk' mineral water. We will take necessary steps and inform them accordingly,” noted the FSIS representative.

Recently, the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ('Rospotrebnadzor') announced the suspension of sales of certain batches of 'Jermuk' mineral water in Russia. The reason for this, according to the statement, was information about a resident of Vladikavkaz suffering burns to their esophagus after consuming the water. According to the Russian side, the citizen sustained burns from drinking the contents of a bottled mineral water.

The Armenian side responded quickly. The FSIS issued a statement countering the Russian agency, asserting that each batch exported complies with the requirements of the Eurasian Economic Union. Besides Russia, 'Jermuk' is also exported to the USA, Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the EU, and many other countries.

Anush Harutyunyan mentioned that inspections at 'Jermuk Group' last occurred in 2022, with no violations recorded. She added that no complaints have been received regarding 'Jermuk' in the past five to six years.

“It’s not the case that all produced batches are only exported. A portion of the production remains here in our country, and it seems that we have not encountered such issues,” added the head of the FSIS public awareness department.

It should be noted that this is not the first instance where the Russian side claims there are issues with Armenian products. At the end of last year, similar problems arose concerning Armenian vegetables, with Armenian truckers returning from the Upper Lars border because Russia insisted that the goods did not meet phytosanitary requirements. Earlier, there were also issues related to brandy and dairy products. Is there a political context to all this? Various Armenian officials confirm that there is no such context.

'Jermuk' mineral water has been exported to Russia since 2001, gradually increasing its volumes from 350,000 liters to 15,273,000 liters annually.

The Food Safety Inspection Body asserts that no vinegar is used in the production of 'Jermuk' mineral water, and the materials used conform to international standards prescribed for use in the food industry. The alleged residual content of these materials, according to their technical specifications, should not cause esophageal burns.

For its part, the mineral water producer 'Jermuk group' denies the presence of acetic acid in the bottled water filled at the plant.

We inquired with the FSIS if they plan any inspections at 'Jermuk' following the created situation. Anush Harutyunyan emphasized that the Russian agency has not provided any basis for laboratory testing to the FSIS, which would allow for supervision over the company. “They have only requested information on export volumes and exporters. There is no basis for conducting checks, at least not yet,” she noted.