KUALA LUMPUR: A company was fined RM8,000 by the Magistrate’s Court here today for importing and distributing mineral water that contained a higher than permitted level of nitrite, which could cause cancer.

Albert Wines & Spirits (M) Sdn Bhd finance manager Mum Yew Leong, 38, pleaded guilty to the charge. Mum told the court that the company had already taken action to recall the products.

Magistrate Mohamad Aizat Abdul Rahim also ordered the company to pay RM300 costs.

The prosecution said a sample of Natural Artesian Water (Fiji) mineral water was taken from the Kepong-based company by health officer Norazlina Ayub on April 23.

The sample was found to contain 0.02mg/l of nitrite (NO2), higher than the permitted rate of 0.005mg/l.