The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has once again targeted the cola companies on the basis of its latest study. Earlier, three years ago the same group had come out with the charges of soft drinks having pesticide residues. The CSE’s report in 2003 had brought on a Parliamentary probe into the matter
The latest CSE study, titled ‘Soft Drinks – Hard Truth II‘ says that soft drinks in Delhi are containing high level of pesticides It claimed that Pepsi contained 30 times higher pesticide residue on an average and Coca Cola contained 27 times higher residue compared to results in 2003.
Three to five of the residues were found in all the sodas. That is 24 times the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS norms) that have been finalized but not yet notified to the industry.
The group collected verities of soft drinks from nine places in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon over the last eight months. The Pollution Monitoring Laboratory of the CSE conducted a laboratory test on the drinks.
Center’s director Sunita Narain told media on Wednesday that their study revealed that some soft drinks have pesticide residues 23 times more than the bench mark set for drinking water.
While Pepsi and Coke refused to comment directly, a statement issued by the Indian Soft Drink Manufacturers Association said the soft drinks manufactured by the two companies in India are safe as they comply with stringent international norms and follow national regulations.
The battle between CSE and Cola companies is again came in the light, the government still did not make comment on the issue. Here is a big question that without any authority supports how long CSE will be able to fight with biggies multinational companies.
Why the general public is silent over the matter, we want you people to speak, make a strong voice and let them hear – ‘Just follow the international standard of the quality in India too, otherwise GO…’
