Alert issued on Armenian mineral water
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.
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