The CPI(M)-led LDF Government in Kerala has banned the production and sale of soft drinks marketed by cola majors Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the State. The decision was taken by the State Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday on the basis of a recommendation made by the LDF State committee on August 6.
The ban has put a question mark on the fate of the Coca-Cola plant at Plachimada and the Pepsi unit at Puthussery, both in Palakkad district, which were even otherwise facing serious problems due to continuous agitation against their functioning.
Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan said after the Cabinet meeting that the ban was imposed as various studies had stated these drinks contained elements hazardous to health.
The Department of Prevention of Food Adulteration had sent a serious report on this to the Government, he revealed. There were also court verdicts against cola companies, he pointed out.
Alluding to the three-year struggle against the Coca-Cola plant at Plachimada, he said the people had been protesting against the soft drink majors for polluting the environment and over-exploiting groundwater resources.
On the possibility of other products of the two companies being banned, he said that a decision on them would naturally follow. Appropriate administrative and legal steps would be taken for the effective implementation of the ban, he said.
The Congress party, the main constituent of the Opposition UDF, has welcomed the decision to ban the colas. Hailing the State Government's decision to ban Pepsi and Coca-Cola, State Congress president Ramesh Chennithala mooted the idea of the Centre enacting a comprehensive legislation regulating all packed items containing higher pesticide residual instead of just limiting the target to the two soft drink giants.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola claimed its manufacturing process and safety testing methods were adequate for ensuring that its soft drinks complied with "all applicable national regulations and international norms".
"The soft drink industry, including Coca-Cola, is working closely with laboratories of international repute to conduct research and develop standard test methodologies," a statement from the company said.
Coca-Cola products were tested regularly by recognised independent national laboratories to ensure that they met all consumer safety norms, the company claimed. Soft drinks were primarily made of water (80-90 per cent), sugar (5-10 per cent) and concentrate (0.5 per cent), the statement pointed out. "Our multiple barrier system for filtration of water ensures that components like pesticide residues and inorganic impurities are removed," the company said.
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