Switzerland claimed it 'contains excessive boron': Official statement from Beypazarı

The Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office announced that excessive levels of boron were detected in Beypazarı brand mineral water and that it is believed to affect fertility as well as fetal development.

Speaking to 12punto, Beypazarı officials stated that the amount of boron is within the WHO reference value and said that Switzerland did not request a "witness sample".

The following statements were included in the statement made by Beypazarı regarding the incident:

THE LIMIT SET BY THE WHO IS 2.4 MG

"Unfair and untrue publications aimed at disinformation have been made regarding our brand, Beypazarı Natural Mineral Water, based on a news report originating from Switzerland on some social media channels, and baseless accusations and content have been shared claiming that the amount of Boron in the product content is high and harmful to health. We would like to enlighten our consumers and convey accurate information regarding such malicious and unfair accusations.

The “BEYPAZARI” brand, which is a 100% domestic and national value of our country, is growing rapidly in the international arena. As a company, we export to more than 30 countries, have received Turkey, European and World quality awards, and are a brand that holds ISO 22000; ISO 9001; ISO 14001; ISO 45001; FSSC 22000 and ESMA quality certificates and has a respected place in the sector. Our company continuously and meticulously monitors the quality of its products, and our products are also audited by the Ministry of Health and analyzed regularly.

Different countries and international organizations may make changes based on different scientific data and policy approaches when determining quality standards for drinking water. These policies and approaches vary depending on which scientific study is taken as a basis, consumption habits, body weights, and other factors. Other international organizations have also set different guideline values for the amount of boron in drinking water.

Health-based regulatory limits for boron in drinking water have been set at 2.4 mg/L by the World Health Organization (WHO), 4 mg/L by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, and 1 mg/L by the European Union. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has not set a regulatory limit for Boron in drinking water but has set a lifetime health advisory value of 5 mg/L."

"WE BELIEVE IT IS AN EFFORT TO CREATE A MISPERCEPTION"

Our company clearly declares its compliance with the Regulation on Natural Mineral Waters in Turkey and international standards. We emphasize that we are within the appropriate values for all parameters determined by the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Although the news originated from Switzerland, we believe that presenting this news as "high value detected" is an effort to create a misperception. We would also like to state that we attach importance to providing transparent and accurate information by sharing the boron analysis result performed by the Swiss accredited analysis laboratory EUROFİNS in previous years. (The analysis result corresponds to 0.80 mg/lt including the deviation value)

Despite all these negative news and efforts to create a false perception, we owe a debt of gratitude to our valuable and conscious consumers who stand by us, maintain their trust, and do not spare their support, as well as to the valuable members of the press who contacted us to share the correct news."

News Source: 12punto

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