YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The statement of the US National Drug Administration has caused panic among buyers, as a result of which sales of "Jermik" have declined by 10% in Armenia. At the same time, as NT correspondent was informed by commercial director of the company Samvel Arsenian, export to Russia has grown: previously 23-30 containers of mineral water were exported to Russia a month, whereas starting from April 1, 78 containers will be exported. According to S. Arsenian, the statement, according to which "Jermuk" mineral water contains arsenic exceeding the permissible norm, pursues some political and economic goals and has no relation to the quality of this water and its content. He said that since 2000, the company has exported its production to the US, and each shipment undergoes laboratory examination on the border and is given a respective certificate, after which it is allowed to be imported into the country. In the words of S. Arsenian, an attempt is being made to force Armenian "Jermuk" out of the international market. "This statement is made at the moment when wagons of Georgian "Borzhomi" mineral water (banned in Russia) are brought into the US," he noted. He said that it is not ruled out that the company will try to restore its prestige in court: the respective documents are being prepared for this purpose.

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