Jermuk is a bottled mineral water originating from the town of Jermuk in Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia. The water has been bottled since 1951. Currently, the brand is bottled and produced by the Jermuk Group CJSC, founded in 1999 in Jermuk, and is classified into 2 categories: Jermuk Classic mineral carbonated water, and Jermuk Millennium mineral mildly carbonated water. In 2015-16 the factory of "Jermuk Mayr Gortsaran" founded in 1951 was acquired by the Jermuk Group.
History
The area of Jermuk was first mentioned in writing in 189 AD, when the Jermuk fortress was built, with the eponymous town being founded some time later. According to historical records, Jermuk was the summer residence of the Armenian princes of the neighbouring province of Syunik. The first surveys of the area around Jermuk were made in 1830 by the Russian geologist and engineer G. Dzoyokoyev-Boykikov; these did not result in the commercial exploitation of mineral water, however.
FDA warning
May 31, 2007: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers in the West Chester, Pennsylvania area not to drink any Jermuk brand mineral water due to the risk of exposure to arsenic, a toxic substance and a known cause of cancer in humans. Jermuk Classic Medicinal Table Natural Sparkling Mineral Water in 0.5 liter green translucent glass bottles under the Jermuk Group brand label was recalled on 5/1/07 by AA Impex Group, Philadelphia, PA. FDA found that the product contained 536-539 micrograms of arsenic per liter of water. FDA's standard of quality for bottled water allowed no more than 10 micrograms per liter. Product can be returned to the Great Pumpkin for a refund. No illnesses were reported. June 12, 2017: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sampled products in California and found that Jermuk brand mineral water, along with Arpi Mineral Water, contained levels of arsenic above 450 micrograms. This is a 17% decrease from the amount found 10 years before, but is still 4500% more than the maximum allowable amount.
