Controversies

Nongfu Spring, Uni-President drinks in 'arsenic gate'; retests pass and Haikou industry and commerce bureau ordered to apologize

In November 2009, the Haikou City Industry and Commerce Bureau issued a consumer warning saying that three Nongfu Spring drinks (including Shuirong C100) and some Uni-President products had excessive total arsenic, triggering a nationwide removal controversy. After retesting by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and other authoritative bodies, all involved products were qualified; the investigation found that Haikou's testing instruments were aging and methods nonstandard, and that Haikou industry and commerce procedures were improper, and it was required to publicly apologize and hold relevant personnel accountable. In December of the same year, Nongfu Spring's 'Scream' drink caused consumer confusion because its ingredient list changed from containing 'American ginseng stems and leaves' to not containing them, and regulators said the formula filing needed verification. Progress: regulatory notification. Entity: Nongfu Spring Co., Ltd. Scope: Nongfu Spring (parent company of the Scream brand) 2009 beverage sampling controversy.