Asia-Pacific

Indian state bans Coke, Pepsi

(AP)
Updated: 2006-08-09 20:28

India's Supreme Court has since asked the two companies to disclose the contents of their soft drinks. Four Indian states - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh - have already imposed a ban on sale of Coke and Pepsi at colleges, schools and government offices. Several other states have said they are examining the issue.

On Tuesday, PepsiCo placed advertisements with several Indian newspapers saying the company follows Indian government's regulations and the "pesticide residues present in soft drinks are minuscule."

Insisting that food items across the world are bound to contain residues of pesticides used by farmers, the company said what is important is whether the residues conform to norms set by the

World Health Organization and other national authorities.

"Our beverages in India are suitable for anyone, anywhere," the statement said. "We drink them. We share them with our families and friends. And we know they are safe for you."

This is not the first time Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in India have faced charges of pesticide content in their soft drinks.

The allegations surfaced three years ago, when the Center for Science and Environment said its tests revealed PepsiCo and Coca-Cola drinks sold in India contained pesticides that were respectively 36 and 30 times higher than

European Union safety standards.