Omum water producer: Let’s wait for results of probe

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The manufacturer of Sri Ambikas Omum Water has sent its products for laboratory tests after a man who consumed the water landed in hospital in Singapore.

KVS Industries Sdn Bhd director V. Moganadas said the test results showed a consistent pH level of 7.4, which is safe for consumption.

“Our products go through stringent tests before they are sold. We have submitted the reports to the authorities in Singapore. We are still awaiting their reply or investigation findings,” said Moganadas, whose company is based in Taman Kerjasama here yesterday.

Moganadas was responding to a report in Singapore’s The Straits Times yesterday that said that a 55-year-old operations manager, Gunalan Perumal, was warded for three days in the intensive care unit at the Singapore General Hospital after taking a swig of the omum water on Aug 3 to treat his indigestion.

The report said he had injuries and swelling in his mouth and throat.

Preliminary investigation by the Health Sciences Authority in Singapore, the report said, found that the water which Gunalan consumed had a pH level of more than 13, equivalent to the level found in a chlorine bleach.

The article added that importer Sri Ambikas Pte Ltd had since stopped sales of the product. The mini-mart that sold the bottle of drink has also stopped selling it.

Moganadas believed that the incident was an isolated case. “We have not heard of any other reports or other bottles with problems.

“We sent a whole consignment there. Let’s wait for the investigation’s outcome,” he said.

Also known as “bishop’s weed” in English and ajwain in Hindi, omum is a seed that is said to help with indigestion and other stomach ailments.