Russia bans sale of 64.5 million bottles of Armenian mineral water following import restrictions

Russian authorities have banned the sale of a famous Armenian mineral water brand, Jermuk, on sanitary grounds.

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, the consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor flagged 64.5 million bottles and banned them from sale across Russia, claiming that they contain excessive levels of hydrocarbons, chlorine, and sulfates.

Earlier last week, the watchdog had also banned the import of Jermuk, again citing the same reason.

Russian authorities had earlier announced temporary bans on the import of flowers produced in Armenia, as well as some alcoholic beverages, vegetables, and strawberries, again citing phytosanitary reasons.