Cover image via syamirkangenwaterThe 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](http://moh.spab.gov.my) or its [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BKKMHQ/) page.
Image via NST
What is Kangen water?
*Kangen* is the Japanese word for "return to origin". According to Kangen Water Systems Malaysia's [website](http://www.mykangenwater.org/), "Kangen water comes about from powerful technology all the way from Japan that utilises the latest in water activation and technology."
Then the [website](http://www.enagic.com/watertheory.php) 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](http://www.enagic.com/watertheory.php), 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:
Image via Noor Hisham Abdullah
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](http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/07/10/cap-warns-consumers-about-special-water-claims/) 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."
