Kangen Water's Claims Of Curing Over 100 Illnesses Violates The Law Says Health Ministry
The sales and advertisements of Kangen water are found to have violated the provisions of Food Act in Malaysia
By Sadho Ram — 10 Jul 2016, 06:55 PM
The Health Ministry has decided to crackdown on the sale or promotion of Kangen water in Malaysia, the latest variation of so-called alkaline water filter, promoters of which claim that it produces "miracle water" and is able to treat more than 100 chronic illnesses
Health Director-General Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, announced the crackdown news on the sale of unlicensed bottled Kangen water following its near miraculous health benefit claims.
"In this matter, the Health Ministry takes a serious view of the food advertisement that has confused many people with its diverse health testimonials into believing the water can cure various illnesses. Under the Food Act 1983 and the Food Regulations 1985, all water packed for consumption must be approved and licensed by the Health Ministry."
“After scrutiny, the sale and advertisement of Kangen water are found to have violated the provisions of law above and the Ministry of Health Malaysia is taking action according to existing legal provisions towards the sale and advertisement of Kangen water that claims to have multiple health testimonials."
He added that failure to adhere to the regulations can result in offenders being charged and the products seized. Those convicted can be fined a maximum RM5,000 or jailed up to two years and have their products confiscated. He asked consumers to lodge a complaint against such products to their respective district Health office or state Health Departments or through the health ministry's website or its Facebook page.
What is Kangen water?
Kangen is the Japanese word for "return to origin". According to Kangen Water Systems Malaysia's website, "Kangen water comes about from powerful technology all the way from Japan that utilises the latest in water activation and technology."
Then the website of Enagic, the Japanese company behind the Kangen Water, claims that it is "delicious water created from Enagic's innovative water technology."
According to the website, in addition to filtering your tap water, it also claims to produce "ionized alkaline and acidic waters through electrolysis, which then can be used for various purposes, including drinking, cooking, beauty, and cleaning."
When Health D-G Noor Hisham issued the statement on Facebook, it was accompanied by promotional posters of Kangen water:
The poster claims that Kangen water is alkaline ionised water with pH levels ranging between 8.5 and 9.5 and can prevent and speed up recovery from diseases like cancer, stroke, hepatitis, asthma, male and female reproductive illnesses and other degenerative diseases.
Following which, The Star Online reported the Consumers Association of Penang's President S.M. Mohamed Idris urging people to be cautious of the promotion of "special water", who called them "totally a bluff" saying it's a sales gimmick
The Star Online quoted Idris as saying that "Consumers should not be too excited to spend a large amount of money to buy machines for water. Although water is much needed by our body, we just need to consume water as our body requires."
Meanwhile, The Malay Mail Online reported Enagic Malaysia, the company behind Kangen Water, as saying that they never made claims that its product can treat illnesses like cancer and stroke, saying instead that it has reprimanded distributors who do so
Enagic Malaysia Sdn Bhd said it has been working closely with the Health Ministry to stop distributors from making such lofty claims but to no avail.
“First, Enagic Malaysia would like to make a clear statement that we prohibit distributors from selling Kangen water and/ or making medical claims. Enagic Malaysia has been working with the MOH to fight against those who ignore and sell water or make medical claims by sending warning letters to anyone who we find doing so and sending cc to MOH officials for past one year,” Enagic Malaysia Sdn Bhd country manager Nick Nakao told Malay Mail Online in a statement yesterday.
themalaymailonline.com
For his part, Enagic Malaysia Country Manager Nick Nakao claims that his company has identified a company in Sarawak which made the miraculous health claims, adding that they have refused to cease operations as it has permissions to work by local authorities
“Enagic Malaysia has already requested the company in Sarawak to STOP selling Kangen Water. However he claims that he has received approval to sell “Kangen Water” from local government and ignores our request,” he said.
Nakao added that Enagic Malaysia has since taken legal recourse to stop the company from continuing its operations and agreed with Putrajaya that anyone making “medical claims” about Kangen Water should be penalised.
themalaymailonline.com