Source: Kataeb.org
Tuesday 14 October 2025 13:45:09
Lebanese water producer Tannourine Spring Mineral Water defended the safety and quality of its products on Tuesday after the Ministry of Health took action against the company, insisting that its water has consistently met national standards.
At a press conference, Chairman George Makhoul said the brand has “always been among the cleanest waters and has never raised any questions.” He emphasized that the water is sourced entirely from Lebanon and complies fully with official specifications.
Makhoul suggested that the issue may have arisen from a mishandling of water bottles during transport. He also criticized the testing process, saying that the sample on which the decision was based was not collected according to approved procedures and without any company representative present.
"The test results are therefore inaccurate and should not be used to draw conclusions," he said.
The company, he noted, undergoes regular inspections, all of which have consistently confirmed its compliance with health standards.
“We have never been outside the State’s oversight and have always been key partners in protecting public health,” he said.
Despite acknowledging the possibility of error, Makhoul affirmed that no test has ever detected any bacteria since the company’s establishment.
He also questioned the credentials of the laboratory that conducted the tests, noting that the Hariri Hospital laboratory is not specialized in water testing.
Makhoul said Tannourine Spring Mineral Water had not been officially notified of the ministry’s decision and first learned about it through social media. He stressed that the company seeks to correct what he called an “unfortunate mistake” rather than confront authorities.
“We reserve the right to take all necessary measures to protect our reputation and standing, but our priority remains working with state institutions. Correcting the error does not mean entering into conflict.”
The company’s factory manager noted that the United Arab Emirates had temporarily withheld shipments in the free market pending verification of more test results, and said the company continues to export to the UAE. He described the plant as one of the most advanced water facilities in the Middle East.
He concluded that the incident may have been a “misunderstanding or error,” emphasizing Tannourine Spring Mineral Water’s strong presence in the Gulf market and its long-standing reputation for quality.