Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) In the News

`No standards world-wide for pesticide residues in soft- drinks'
"Considering the dimensions of the consequences of the CSE expose, the August experience is an eye-opener to all the multinationals adopting double standards in India, if not a strong lesson. An incident that has unfurled at one end of the globe has crossed the geographical barriers so fast that the Wall Street began to take notice, too. The faraway consumer problems had the potential to affect, for instance, Coca-Cola's most valuable asset — the reputation for quality conveyed by its brand name and built over a century. The Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated (Coke) stock dipped by five dollars in the New York Stock Exchange from $55-$50 in the six sessions following the August 5 disclosure, as did the shares of the Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCA)."

Business Line, New Delhi, October 03, 2003, Page No. 9

`EU water norms for finished beverages will be tough to follow'
Much water, indeed, has flowed under the bridge since the controversy over pesticide residue levels in beverages broke out in early August. While the Government has constituted a Joint Parliamentary Committee to recommend criteria for standards for beverages and investigate the findings of the Centre for Science and Environment, what is of immediate concern to the beverage industry is the draft rules for pesticide limits in beverages notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on August 26. This proposed regulation, industry sources say, effectively applies EU drinking water standards to finished beverages, including fruit juices.

Business Line, New Delhi, October 02, 2003, Page No. 5

Mirinda samples found adulterated, 11 get six months RI
A Jabalpur court has sentenced 11 people to six-months rigorous imprisonment and has imposed a fine of Rs. 1,000 each after samples of the PepsiCo soft drink Mirinda were found adulterated. Judicial Magistrate A.C. Tiwari on Tuesday gave the order following a report by the Director, Central Food Laboratory, Mysore. According to the office of the deputy director Food and Drugs Control, Jabalpur, samples of Mirinda were taken from Chawla Cold Drinks, local wholesale dealer on June 2, 1996, following complaints. The department sent the samples to the State Food Laboratory in Bhopal for initial tests. Later, the court sent the samples to the Central Food Laboratory in Mysore, which found the samples adulterated.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, October 02, 2003, Page No. 8

A question of quality
General awareness levels about food quality and food law enforcement agencies remain low in the country, says a study sponsored by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. If the public furore over the allegedly high levels of pesticide in carbonated soft drinks and contamination in milk is anything to go by, then the consumer movement in India is surely evolved. On the other hand, if an interim report on `Food quality literacy and awareness among consumers' — conducted by the Consumer Coordination Council (a coalition of consumer groups), and sponsored by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries — is any indication, then the average consumer in India is far from aware of these issues. And even when awareness about food quality and enforcement agencies does exist among the educated classes, very few actually take up the relevant issues with the authorities.

Business Line, October 02, 2003, Page 3supp

HC stays notification to emboss marking on soft drink bottles
The Delhi High Court stayed the Government notification making it mandatory for the manufacturers and distributors of soft drinks to emboss the declaration ‘best before date’ on the body of the bottles. The petition filed by Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Ltd and its bottlers contended that the industry must be given sufficient time to phase out the existing bottles.

Business Line, New Delhi, October 02, 2003, Page No. 5

Pepsi India chief says it is tough to follow EU norms
The European Union (EU) water norms are theoretically zero chemical content norms and are very difficult to be adopted for finished products, according to Mr Rajiv Bakshi, Chairman of Pepsico India Holdings Pvt Ltd (PIHPL). Mr Bakshi, however, added that the degree of difficulty in the application of EU norms would be the least in the case of soft drinks when compared to other products. "In the case of categories like milk, it is almost impossible to adhere to the EU water norms." He also said that the issue basically pertained to comparison of Government results with EU norms, "which is not correct as EU has no finished products reports".

Business Line, New Delhi, September 30, 2003, Page No. 4

A boost for bilateralism
Written by Sunita Narain
The proposed deal in Cancun had to be rejected. What was proposed at the World Trade Organisation talks would have been a deadly price for developing countries to pay. Therefore, for once, our leaders did well. They were prepared to negotiate together and they stood united in the face of the disgraceful, utterly indefensible positions of the subsidised North.

Business Standard, New Delhi, September 30, 2003, Page No. 6

Consumers are back, says Pepsi's Bakshi
After witnessing a major impact on sales due to the controversy over pesticides residues, soft drinks maker Pepsi claimed that its business is returning to normalcy. Rajeev Bakshi, chairman of Pepsi India Holdings, said consumer confidence is bouncing back rapidly and the company's sales are returning to the pre-controversial level.

Business Standard, New Delhi, September 30, 2003, Page No. 10

Killing pests or poisoning people?
By Ameer Shahul
Last month saw one of the biggest brand attacks and consequent deliriums when the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment released its analytical results for pesticides in the 12 brands of Coke and Pepsi. One month into the news and the euphoria that has gripped the country has died down and a similar analysis of samples carried out at the government-controlled Centre for Food Technology Research Laboratory in Mysore has absolved the companies to some extent of the charges levelled by the environmentalists. The fact remains that the country does not have standard for carbonated water, and that the pesticides level detected in the official analysis is still higher than the European Union standard. Sadly enough, in the absence of any regulatory standards in place, these companies cannot be held responsible.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 29, 2003, Page No. 9

Because food matters
By Bharat Dogra
A spate of recent reports has drawn attention to the alarming extent to which chemical pesticides have contaminated our food chain including water sources. The time has come to give more attention to the alternative of organic farming which can provide a permanent solution to the threat of chemical poisoning of food and water. Those who have insisted that organic agriculture cannot produce enough food have been steadily losing ground. In 1989 the US Department of Agriculture, regarded by many as an influential promoter of chemical-intensive farming, issued a path-breaking report which admitted that organic farms are as productive as those where pesticides and synthetic fertilisers are used. This report concluded that the wider adoption of organic farming would result in ‘‘ever increasing economic benefits to farmers and environmental gain to the nation.’’

The Indian Express, New Delhi, September 29, 2003, Page No. 6

Pesticides and Hazardous Products
What's your poison?
After the Centre for Science and Environment's report about pesticides in soft drinks, consumption has gone down. An informal survey done by the reporters of The Statesman suggested that fewer people are buying soft drinks. At Miranda House, at least 10 crates of 24 bottles were consumed before the CSE's 'pesticide' report was made public. After the report, sales went down and about 1-2 crates were consumed. There has been a slight increase after the government's clarification. About 5 crates are sufficient these days.

The Statesman, New Delhi, September 25, 2003, Page-sp1

Rain Water Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting to go big in Tihar Jail
The entire 400 acre Tihar Jail complex is all set to go the rainwater harvesting way. With the ground water level up by almost two metres in jail number 4 where two harvesting units were set up last year, the jail authorities now see the technique as a long-term solution to fight water woes. Moreover, the complex will shift to this environment-friendly method of conservation with the assistance of the prisoners. And to make this happen a training programme, organised in the jail complex on Monday, saw experts from the Delhi-based NGO Centre for Science and Environment introduce 53 inmates to the benefits of rainwater harvesting.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, September 23, 2003, Page No. 13

Delhi HC defers hearing on Pepsi's petition against CSE report
The Delhi High Court deferred the hearing of a petition filed by PepsiCo India challenging the Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) report that alleged the presence of pesticide residue in soft drinks. The hearing has been deferred till October 28. Mr Justice B.D. Ahmed adjourned the matter after CSE and Pepsi sought more time to file responses and rejoinders, according to reports. This, even as a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) looks into the issue of food safety in soft drinks, fruit juices and beverages where water is a constituent.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 23, 2003, Page No. 2

Inmates harvest rain to stop Tihar from going dry
With their pilot project in rain water harvesting showing success the Tihar Jail authorities have decided to increase the scope of the project and bring the entire 400 acre jail under a harvesting system. The project at Jail No. 4 has shown a good 2 meters rise in ground water level in four months. ‘‘Although, we did link the waste water network to the hand pumps, it wasn’t enough. And then, with the help of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), we started monitoring water levels in the roof top harvesting system in Jail No. 4. Between April and July 2003, the water level has gone up by 2 metres,’’ Gupta said.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, September 22, 2003, Page 3supp

After CSE & Kerala, sludge haunts Coke, Pepsi in Delhi
The government is considering an independent evaluation of plants of cola majors Coke and Pepsi in the vicinity of the Yamuna with a view to check whether there is any adverse environmental impact in the functioning of these units. The issue has been taken up with the companies after it was alleged that 'sludge' generated in Coca-Cola's plant in Kerala had toxins that could affect human health.
The government is considering an independent evaluation of plants of cola majors Coke and Pepsi in the vicinity of the Yamuna with a view to check whether there is any adverse environmental impact in the functioning of these units. The issue has been taken up with the companies after it was alleged that 'sludge' generated in Coca-Cola's plant in Kerala had toxins that could affect human health.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, September 20, 2003 , page-9

Anything to say on cola? Meet the JPC
The joint parliamentary committee examining safety standards for soft drinks, fruit juice and other beverages says anyone wanting to offer suggestions may do so, in writing, by October 10. If anyone wants to give oral evidence before the committee, the person may request the Lok Sabha secretariat, which can put it up for the consideration of the committee. The JPC mandate is to suggest criteria for suitable safety standards for drinks where water is the main constituent and to rule on whether the findings of a Delhi-based NGO on pesticide residues in soft drinks are correct or not.

The Times of India, New Delhi, September 20, 2003, Page 5

Food politics
Now that the US is desperate for the international help to run from its misadventure in Iraq, at least one Congress woman has suggested that the House of Representatives cafeteria change "freedom" fries and "freedom" toast back to what they originally were French fries and French toast. A similar brand of gastronomic correctness may have to be undone in India where Parliament has banned cola drinks from its premises, even though government laboratories found that pesticides in Coca Cola and Pepsi beverages were within safe limits. The flap came about due to a report by the Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment claiming that Coke and Pepsi products contained extraordinary levels of pesticides.......Editorial
Now that the US is desperate for the international help to run from its misadventure in Iraq, at least one Congress woman has suggested that the House of Representatives cafeteria change "freedom" fries and "freedom" toast back to what they originally were French fries and French toast. A similar brand of gastronomic correctness may have to be undone in India where Parliament has banned cola drinks from its premises, even though government laboratories found that pesticides in Coca Cola and Pepsi beverages were within safe limits. The flap came about due to a report by the Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment claiming that Coke and Pepsi products contained extraordinary levels of pesticides.......Editorial

The Statesman, New Delhi, September 19, 2003, page-8

No Coca Cola for Indian MPs
The customary bottles of Coca Cola were conspicuously missing on the long white ornate table in the Hall of Coat of Arms in Russian State Duma when the seven member Lok Sabha delegation arrived for the 2^ndsession of the Indo Russian Inter-Parliamentary Commission. "We also read newspapers," a Duma staff said in an obvious reference to a ban on the sale of colas in Indian Parliament.
The customary bottles of Coca Cola were conspicuously missing on the long white ornate table in the Hall of Coat of Arms in Russian State Duma when the seven member Lok Sabha delegation arrived for the 2^ndsession of the Indo Russian Inter-Parliamentary Commission. "We also read newspapers," a Duma staff said in an obvious reference to a ban on the sale of colas in Indian Parliament.

The Tribune, New Delhi, September 19, 2003 page-9

Sachin, Shah Rukh to bat for Pepsi again
By Ratna Bhushan
It will, after all, be celebrities Shah Rukh Khan and Sachin Tendulkar, who will soon be seen on television screens, advertising for Pepsi once again. After weeks of speculation on whether or not the soft drink major would use celebrities for its television commercials in the post-pesticide controversy phase, PepsiCo seems to have finalised an ad strategy that will feature two of its biggest star endorsers - Shah Rukh and Sachin, ad industry sources told Business Line. Mired in controversy following allegations of pesticide content in their soft drinks brands by the Delhi-based NGO Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) early last month, both PepsiCo and Coca-Cola had turned to print advertising for `reassurance' consumer campaigns. Both companies had subsequently upped their ad spends in the print media.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 16, 2003, Page No. 1

Cotton farmers face pesticide hazard
To protect women, children and men from pesticide exposure, all cotton users can make a small beginning demand cotton from fields that use little or no pesticides. Kasargod district in Kerala is a good illustration of this horrifying situation. The government owned cashew plantations in Kasargod have been sprayed with Endosulfan for decades now. Recent studies, including one conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment, exposed the damage it had caused children here have congenital disorders and lower mental abilities.
To protect women, children and men from pesticide exposure, all cotton users can make a small beginning demand cotton from fields that use little or no pesticides. Kasargod district in Kerala is a good illustration of this horrifying situation. The government owned cashew plantations in Kasargod have been sprayed with Endosulfan for decades now. Recent studies, including one conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment, exposed the damage it had caused children here have congenital disorders and lower mental abilities.

(Newstime, Hyderabad, September 15, 2003, page-8

Cola muddle: JPC member threatens $10bn suit
Just two days before the first meeting of the joint Parliamentary committee probing pesticides –colas controversy, a legal notice has been served to PepsiCo and Coca-Cola asking them to immediately stop their sales in the country or else a suit will be field demanding $10 billion from them on grounds of causing health hazards.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, September 13, 2003, Page No. 14

Watchdog wants fewer 2-stroke vehicles in war against pollution
In what might be the next step to fighting pollution in Delhi, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) has asked the Supreme Court to direct the Union Transport Ministry to frame policies to reduce the number of personal vehicles in the city, especially two-wheelers. According to the EPCA, pollution problems arising out of two-wheelers are unique in Asian countries as in Europe and the United States there are not as many two-wheleers. Two-wheelers in the National Capital Region are largely two-stroke and thus one of the major pollutants of the city. "We want tax incentives should be given to those who buy two-wheelers meeting emissions norms meant for 2008 by 2005," said Anmita Roy Chaudhary of the Centre for Science and Environment, who conducted the study for EPCA.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 12, 2003, Page No. 2

Rain water Harvesting
Water doesn't go waste in Tara Apartments
By Manan Kumar
Residents of Tara Apartments, Alaknanda, are a notch above other South Delhi colonies. They recycle waste water from kitchens and bathrooms and use it for gardening. They have constructed a 20,000-litre tank for storing recycled water. Tara Apartments Residents Welfare Association (TARWA), is unhappy with the Delhi government. It says the government has not given them any financial help despite promising funds. "We got the technical know-how from Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) at a price. Our representations to Delhi government including the area councillor did not get any response, they say.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 11, 2003, Page No. 1supp

Will packaged water eventually overshadow colas in the years to come?
Even as industry experts have forecast packaged water as the world's leading beverage by 2005 overtaking carbonated beverages, global majors are now putting their non-carbonated beverage brands in the forefront in recognition of this trend. Mr Russell Weiner, Director, New Product Innovation, Pepsi Cola Company, Purchase, New York, told Business Line, that the company had, for the first time, run a standalone promotion for its packaged water brand, Aquafina, across the US this year. The `Aquafina Spotter programme' as it was called, ran through the summer months. "While colas are big in themselves and the bulk of our volumes continue to come from carbonated beverages, there is tremendous growth happening from non-carbonated beverages. In fact, non-carbonated beverages have been recording double digit growth in most world markets over the last few years," Mr Weiner said.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 11, 2003, Page No. 5

Food standards and market access — Time for a new engagement
By J. George
The cola controversy in terms of the trade negotiations at the World Trade Organisation appears well timed. All WTO trade negotiators of developing countries must be grateful to the exposé by the Centre for Science and Environment. The issue of food quality and safety standards as a potent tool for denying market access in the developed countries has been bothering the developing countries since 1995. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures in an explicit manner came into force as an integral part of the Agreement on Agriculture. Thankfully, food safety standards are getting integrated into the seamless lingua franca of development and trade.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 11, 2003, Page No. 9

Hard realities about soft drinks
By Anuradha Vashisht
Much heat was generated after the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) published its report on finding pesticides in soft drinks bottles. Media stoked the fire. The government report subsequently vindicated the cola giants. But was pesticides in soft drinks ever the issue? CSE has not even scratched the surface of the problem. Pesticide traces have been found in our fruits, our vegetables, our crops, our soils, our water sources, and even in the milk of lactating mothers. Even with zero pesticides and super-clean water, colas can prove a health menace. Cola is a highly concentrated sugar solution. It leads to increased water excretion, causing diarrhoeic potassium loss. In fact, every soft drink consumer, sooner or later, is a potential diabetic.

Indian Express, New Delhi, September 10, 2003, Page No. 9

Spare the colas
By George Isaac
The recent concern over the safety of food and drinking water is justified, but misdirected. The food and drinking water in India may be the most unsafe and contaminated in the modern civilised world but the products of the multinationals, even if they do not conform to US or European standards, are surely the safest products available in this country. The right to life guaranteed by the Constitution and the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 impose on the Ministry of Health, Government of India, the obligation of protecting the health of the citizens of this country by enforcing scientifically determined standards of safety in all products of food and drinking water. Not just in colas or packaged drinking water.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, September 09, 2003, Page No. 8

Rain Water Harvesting
Lucknow lab for garbage schemes
The MCD had earlier floated a proposal to convert solid waste into energy. The principle behind this was that the garbage would be collected and then burnt to turn turbines producing electricity. ‘‘But the Centre for Science and Environment and another NGO, Toxic Links, raised objections. They said burning of the garbage at such high temperatures (1,400 degrees) would lead to the emission of toxic gases,’’ say MCD officials. So although an Indo-Australian company, EDL, had been asked to undertake the project, it was eventually shelved. The main concern that the CSE had is that the plastic bags emit toxic fumes. But we can use this strategy with biodegradable garbage,’’say MCD officials.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, September 09, 2003, Page 3supp

Putting the bottle first
By Sudhirendar Sharma
It seems to be yet another case of deliberate manipulation? Seemingly, a case where there was clear evidence of contaminatation above acceptable levels in popular brands soft drinks has been conveniently converted into a statistical jigsaw puzzle. Taking the fizz out of the controversy, the Government's probe has reduced a vital issue of public health into a fiercely contested debate on whether or not the tests conform to the EU norms on safety. Diverting peoples' attention from the core issue, the Government has indeed put the bottle before the health of its people.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 08, 2003, Page No. 9

Facing up to corporate responsibilities
By C. Gopinath
A sign on the wall of the men's locker room at the Madras Boat Club would read, `When the going gets tough, the tough get going.' That is how it is with facing a crisis. That is how it must be inside Coca Cola and PepsiCo these days. And when you are an organisation that is constantly in the public eye because that is how you want it to be, facing a crisis is not just dealing with it in a safe and sensible manner but in a manner that is perceived as safe and sensible by the customers. That can be very difficult when you appear differently to different people. When the top management feels you are doing the right thing and the public perceives differently, the battle is already lost.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 08, 2003, Page No. 9

8 sick after drinking Coca Cola
It looks like bad days are still not over for soft drinks. Two more untoward incidents have hit soft drinks in Andhra Pradesh. While eight girls of a prominent school fell sick after consuming Coca Cola, another person died after consuming a local soft drinking in Nellore. The girl students of Jubilee Hills Public School fell sick after having Coca Cola during the Teachers' Day celebrations and were admitted to the Apollo Hospital. The doctors said they were out of danger. The Jubilee Hills police station has registered a case of endangering the life and personal safety of other against the Pizza Corner outlet which delivered the Coke bottles free of cost.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, September 07, 2003, Page No. 6

Soon you may have nothing to drink
By Manoj Joshi
Reacting to controversial reports on the presence of pesticide residues in some soft-drinks, the ministry of health has issued a draconian draft notification to the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act that will compel all ‘ready to drink’ beverages - to comply with EU packaged water norms. According to the proposed norms, the pesticide limit in fruit juice would also have to be the same as that for water: 0.0005/mg/pl which according to the experts is impossible.

The Times of India, New Delhi, September 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Food for thought
By Coomi Kapoor
After the Pepsi-Coke pesticide controversy there is a renewed demand for setting standards for a common food law. The problem is that the ministries of health, consumer affairs and food processing would all like to be regulatory authority for the proposed law. The health ministry’s case is that the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act comes under his purview. The consumer affairs ministry’s point is that the BIS and the consumer courts are its responsibility. The food processing ministry’s jurisdiction is that it is responsibility for granting licences for food production.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, September 07, 2003, Page No. 6

Himalayan looks to build on pesticide-free reputation
All waters are not equal and the pesticide residue controversy in bottle water illustrated just that. Given that it was one of two Indian bottled water brands that was not in the dock for containing pesticides — Himalayan Natural Mineral Water, from Mount Everest Mineral Water Ltd stable is all set to increase its presence in the market place, both at home and overseas. "There is a consciousness coming in, at both the consumer and trade level, with regard to the quality of water that one drinks.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 07, 2003, Page No. 2

Govt. mulling ordinance on potable water
The Union Government is considering promulgating an ordinance soon to bring water under the definition of food, the Union Minister for Health, Ms Sushma Swaraj, said. “At present, there is no fixed quality standard for water, which is also not clearly defined under the existing Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. The ordinance will help fix quality norms for potable water,” she told reporters. The Government would appoint a group of experts to lay down the standards.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 06, 2003, Page No. 1

'Cola culture is spreading fast'
Invisible subsidies and a larger plan to make the average Indian to shun water and consume colas could well be the agenda of cola companies, a senior nutrition scientist said here. Addressing a seminar organised by Social Cause and Vigyan Bharati (AP) on `Cool drinks and hot questions', Dr Ramesh V Bhat, Deputy Director of Food & Drug Toxicology Research Centre at National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), said non-Governmental organisations such as International Life Sciences Institute and other vocal bodies do get backing from the cola majors. Criticising the cola majors for their claim that poor quality of water contamination played a part in contaminating their products, he said they were selling their products. "It's their corporate responsibility to see to it they get good water.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 06, 2003, Page No. 17

Gujarat gives clean chit to Coke samples
The Gujarat Government has given a clean chit to 17 samples of soft drinks drawn from various places in the State, after they were tested negative for the presence of certain pesticides falling under the category of organochlorine such as lindane, DDT and chloropyrifos, according to a press release issued by Coca-Cola. According to the company release, the samples, which included Coke, Thums Up, Fanta and Limca, were sent to the Food and Drugs Laboratory, Vadodara, for analysis.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 06, 2003, Page No. 17

Colagate
The controversy over CSE report on soft drinks should have come to a conclusive end long ago. Sushma Swaraj has made her statement in Parliament and a Joint Parliamentary Committee has been constituted and now this proposal about EU norms has been floated for opinions. But how practical is the idea of extending EU norms to everything, ranging from water to vegetables? Our farmers can’t match those strict standards and our exporters will be in a fix if we insist on such norms. Even EU farmers fail to meet standards 40 pc of the time but the Union demands 100 pc certification of compliance for imports. And in certain cases, they differentiate between fruits, less stringent about homegrown ones, but highly fussy about imported ones like mango. These technical standards often work as trade barriers and we need to find out if there is any vested interest in play in promoting erratic EU standards in
India.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, September 06, 2003, Page No. 7

Sushma to standardise water soon
Union Minister for Health Sushma Swaraj said the government will soon promulgate an ordinance to bring ‘‘water’’ under the definition of food items and thereafter frame quality norms on it. Sushma said parameters for bottled water have already been fixed. She told the media there was an urgent need for ensuring quality of the potable water, and the ordinance will soon bring water under the definition of food. About the cola controversy she said: ‘‘The Joint Parliamentary Committee set-up to look into the issue is a bold initiative to clear all doubts about the colas sold in the country.’’

The Indian Express, New Delhi, September 06, 2003, Page No. 5

Pesticides To Pollution: CSE Rides A New Cause
From pesticides to vehicular pollution, Delhi-based NGO — the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) raised a new issue. Criticising the new draft notification on revised pollution under control (PUC) norms which lets off diesel vehicles, CSE said that even as the government had woken up after more than 10 years to revise the PUC norms, it had however shied away from touching diesel vehicles — the dirtiest on the road. “The CSE is shocked that this first ever revision since 1992 has not even addressed on-road diesel emissions, neither has the notification laid out test procedures for all types of vehicles,” CSE associate director, research and advocacy, Anumita Roychowdhury said.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, September 06, 2003, Page No. 4

Water to be a food item soon: Govt
The centre will promulgate an ordinance to include water as a food item, health minister Sushma Swaraj said. She said there was no standard norm fixed for the drinking water in India. Talking to reporters here, she said standard norms should apply on the bottled drinking water as well as soft drinks. She clarified she had not given clean chit to the soft drinks as claimed in their advertisements, but had quoted the investigation reports of the Mysore and Kolkatta-based laboratories.

The Times of India, Delhi, September 06, 2003, Page No.8

Rain Water Harvesting
Record rain raises water tables at many places
Thanks to surplus rain this year, water tables have risen significantly in many areas. The increase by two to four metres is quite substantial given the fact that the city has an estimated 3.6. lakh unauthorised bore wells. But the trend has not been across the board, and in some areas, the table has actually fallen. Meanwhile, the Centre for Science and Environment, which has set up its model harvesting projects at five sites, is also claiming a high rate of success. The recharge structures have been set up at Jamia Hamdard University, Shri Ram College, Mira Model School, Panchsheel Park Colony and Janki Devi Memorial College. According to CSE director Sunita Narain, the difference in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon levels is between 2 and 12 metres.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 06, 2003, Page No. 5

Draft paper on Cola norms
In the backdrop of the raging pesticides-colas controversy, the Government has issued a draft notification for the revision of standards to regulate the presence of metals and pesticides in beverages. The draft notification issued for public comment within a month proposes to extend the norms for pesticide residues in bottled water which will come to force from January 1 next year to all kinds of beverages including soft drinks as well. The draft has been issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and after public response will be taken up for consideration and later notfied under the prevention of Food Adulteration (pfa) Act.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, September 01, 2003, Page No. 4

Govt wants colas to get a Euro fizz
Though the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sushma Swaraj announced in Parliament that the soft drinks including Pepsi and Coke were ‘‘safe’’, the government has issued a draft notification on standards to regulate pesticides and heavy metals in beverages. The beverages mentioned include carbonated water, fruit and vegetable juices, fruit syrup, fruit squash, fruit drink and soft drink concentrates. This notification comes in the wake of an alarming report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). ‘‘The draft notification is an important step in ensuring that regulations on this food industry are tightened and made health-based,’’ said Sunita Narain, Director, CSE.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 31, 2003, Page No. 3

UK lab: Pesticides in colas within limit
In the face of the controversy over the levels of pesticides in branded soft drinks, Central Science Laboratory of London has said that cola samples analysed by it revealed that pesticides were within European norms, prompting Pepsi and Coke to assert once again that their products were safe for consumption.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 31, 2003, Page No. 1

Pesticides in soft drinks within safety standards: CFL report
The Central Food Laboratory report on the presence of pesticides in soft drinks shows that samples of most of these drinks had higher pesticide levels than permissible under the European Union norms. But the report reiterated that they were well within the existing "safety" standards in India. The report of Kolkata-based CFL which was officially released shows that nine out of 12 brands analysed by it failed to either conform to the EU pesticide limits of 0.0001 mg per litre individually or 0.0005 cumulatively. The results in the CFL report are similar to the results of analysis done by another government laboratory — the Central Food Technological Research Institute in Mysore.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 31, 2003, Page No. 3

Coca-cola gets a thumbs down
The Ayyankali Pada attacked the chief operating centre of Coca-cola at Kadavanthra, in Kochi, Kerala, to register its protest against the Government for allowing the sale of the products despite several adverse laboratory reports.

The New Indian Express, Kochi, August 30, 2003, Page No. 1supp

Confusion over Coke, Pepsi hits Agra sales
By Vijay Upadhyay
The contradictory reports on pesticides found in various soft drink brands have had a serious effect on the floundering soft drink business in the tourist city of Agra, with the tourists in a fix on whether the drinks are safe or not. While foreign tourists are unfettered by these reports, the Indian tourists appear confused. Agra is visited by hundreds of foreign and Indian tourists every day and the daily volume of soft drink sales from the shops near the monuments of Agra is comparable to that in the entire city. According to the local shopkeepers, the soft drink sale at the Taj mahal alone has plummeted down from five to six thousand bottles to just seven to eight hundred bottles a day on all three gates of the monument, taking these shopkeepers by surprise.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 30, 2003, Page No. 9

Coca-Cola godown vandalised
Suspected activists of the Ayyankali Pada, a banned Naxal outfit in Kerala State, ransacked a Coca-Cola godown in the heart of the city and destroyed the soft drinks by dousing them with kerosene and diesel before setting them on fire. The incident took place on Friday at around 10.30 am in the godown of Famous Marketing Company located near Kadavanthra when 15 men launched the attack while cola bottles were being loaded into a delivery vehicle. They raised slogans and also brandished swords and iron roads to scare away the employees.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 30, 2003, Page No. 17

Consumers wary of soft drinks: Survey
A SURVEY conducted by the students of the Andhra University here has shown that nearly 43 per cent of consumers of soft drinks here have switched over to fruit juices after the recent disclosures about pesticide residues in the colas. According to a press release issued by the head of the Department of Commerce and Management Studies, Prof K. Rama Mohana Rao, commerce students have conducted a survey here covering 400 respondents on the issue. Businessmen, employees, housewives, students and other sections were interviewed, with 58 per cent of them being under the age of 30 and 39 per cent women. Sixty per cent of the respondents are in the income bracket of above Rs 5,000 a month.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 30, 2003, Page No. 17

Sample fineprint uncorks trouble for Sushma
The fineprint in the government’s report on pesticide residues in soft drink samples has uncorked a caveat: The samples generated by the Centre for Food Laboratory-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFL-CFTRI), Mysore, on cola majors were not comparable with the results posted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). In simple terms apples were not compared with apples, and the rider was not revealed by Union health minister Sushma Swaraj in her statement to Parliament while highlighting the high variation between the results thrown up by CFL-CFTRI and those released by the CSE earlier this month. Ms Swaraj had said that while the government labs had found that in 75 per cent of the samples pesticide residues were only 1.2 to 5.22 times above the EU limits, CSE had reported 11-70 times above the limit. “The results clearly show that all the 12 samples do not have pesticide residues of the high order as was alleged in the CSE report,” the minister had said.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 29, 2003, Page No. 1

‘High pesticide amount in 1/3rd Pepsi, Coke samples’
A government research institute on Thursday revealed that some of the soft drink samples from Pepsi and Coke contained much higher levels of pesticides like lindane and DDT than permissible under the European Union norms.

The report of the Central Food Laboratory, released by the government here, said that pesticide lindane was present in all the soft drinks that were tested but was higher by 1.1 to 1.4 times the European norms in 33 per cent of the samples. Likewise, many of the samples contained DDT and metabolites above the EEC norms, it added.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 29, 2003, Page 3

After Sushma, Walia: Soft drinks are safe
After the Centre, it is the Delhi government’s turn to give a clean chit to soft drink giants Coke and Pepsi. Delhi Health Minister A.K. Walia said that the pesticide levels in aerated drinks tested by the Delhi Government were much below the permitted limit. The Prevention of Food Adulteration Department had picked samples of different brands of aerated drinks following the Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) report on pesticide content in soft drinks.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 29, 2003, Page 2

Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Limca clear the bar: CFTRI report
P.T. Jyothi Datta
It's official now - Limca, Diet Pepsi and Pepsi are the three of the 12 soft drinks that were cleared for pesticide residue following tests at a Government laboratory. Even as the soft drinks controversy now lies at the doorstep of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) — the Union Health Ministry on Thursday made public the contentious report on pesticide residue in soft drinks as analysed by the Mysore-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI). Of the 12 brands put under the microscope — only Limca from the Coca-Cola stable, Diet Pepsi and Pepsi were below the permissible limits for pesticides as per the EU norms, the CFTRI report pointed out. The report was commissioned by the Health Ministry in the wake of a study done on soft drinks by environmental group, Centre For Science and Environment (CSE).

Business Line, New Delhi, August 29, 2003, Page 1

CSE sees loopholes in Govt's cola report
For consumers confused over conflicting reports on the presence of pesticides in soft drinks, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Thursday sought to clear the clutter. "Doubts and confusion over the methodology and results would have been instantly clarified had the reports been tabled the very same day that the Minister chose to address the Parliament," CSE said in its communiqué issued after the Government made its report public in Delhi.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 29, 2003, Page 5

Lab turns in tests on cola pesticides
Although the Centre for Food Technological Research Institute Mysore said that soft drinks were safe as per the existing Indian Standards, it specified that Mirinda Lemon had the highest level of pesticides which was 4.2 times above the limits prescribed by the European Union. This was followed by Coca-Cola with 4 times higher pesticide content followed by Mirinda Orange and Sprite with pesticide levels higher by 3.4 and 3.2 times, respectively. The report was commissioned by the government after the Centre for Science and Environment came out with a study saying that 12 brands of both Coca Cola and Pepsi contained four main pesticides in quantities that were 11-70 times higher than the permissible EU limits.

Business Standard, New Delhi, August 29, 2003, page-2

Blue Pepsi contains highest content of residues:
Report The Centre released the full report of the tests conducted on 12 brands of soft drinks and as per the report, Blue Pepsi was found to have the highest content of pesticide residues. According to the report, the level of pesticide residues in Blue Pepsi was 5.2 times higher than maximum permissible under the European norms. The report has further highlighted that as the samples tested by CFTRI and by the Centre for Science and Environment were from entirely different batches, the results could not be compared.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 29, 2003, page-12

HC stays panchayat order cancelling PepsiCo licence
The Kerala High Court stayed for eight weeks the order issued by the Puthussery panchayat in Palakkad district cancelling the licence issued to the PepsiCo India Holdings (P) Ltd, to run its cola manufacturing plant situated in the panchayat.

The New Indian Express, Kochi, August 28, 2003, Page No. 5

Pesticides and Hazardous Products
Where ignorance is deadly Pesticides appear to have taken over our lives. They contaminate our food, water, soft drinks and even human breast milk. The use of pesticides in cotton farming in India is causing alarm. In fact, one of the largest quantities of pesticides is used in cotton farms across the country. Kasargod district in Kerala is the prime example of the deadly pesticides. For decades now, the government owned cashew plantations in Kasargod have been sprayed with the pesticide Endosulfan. Recent studies, including one conducted by Centre for Science and Environment, exposed the damage it had caused.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 28,20003, page-7

Drinking Water To Be Included In List Of Food, Says
Sushma
The government is planning to include drinking water in the list of food items so that the existing food laws can be effectively extended to determine its hygenic quality, says health minister Sushma Swaraj. Addressing the fourth Editors’ conference on social sector issues here on Wednesday, she said while the quality norms developed by the BIS are mandatory for packaged drinking water and mineral water, there is no such quality norms for piped drinking water being supplied by civic bodies and potable drinking water in rural areas. If water is included in the list of food items, the laws under the PFA Act can be effectively administered, she pointed out.

The Financial Express – New Delhi – August 28, 2003 – Pg No : 11

Clean Chit To Pepsi, Coke Challenged In Rajasthan
The battle for pesti-free colas in Rajasthan has taken a new turn, with a public interest litigation (PIL) petitioner expressing doubts over the test results of the samples submitted in high court showing zero microbial contents. The case is to come up for hearing on September 19. Taking advantage of this report, both Pepsico and Coke had gone on record that their products had been absolved of any pesticide content in the state and that Rajasthan was the first state to do so in the entire country. Later, it came to light that the tests conducted on the samples of these soft drinks were only to detect the microbial contents and not any pesticides or insecticides.

The Financial Express – New Delhi – August 28, 2003 – Pg No : 11

Mumbai court gives Coke a thumbs up
The Bombay High Court set aside an order by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration prohibiting the sale of a particular batch of products from the Pune plant of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd.

The Times of India – New Delhi – August 28, 2003 -Page No : 9

Ordinance on drinking water norms soon
The Union government is considering an ordinance to include water in the definition of food and set in motion the process for evolving norms on drinking water. Once the ordinance is through, a group of experts will be formed to decide the norms, Union health minister Sushma Swaraj said Wednesday, at an editors' conference on social sector issues. "We are trying to speed it up."

The Times of India – New Delhi – August 28, 2003 -Page No : 9

Pepsi ad a big pest for health ministry
The health ministry has taken exception to the Pepsi ads quoting from minister Sushma swaraj’s statement in Parliament and threatened to take further action unless the cola major tenders an unconditional apology. In a letter to Pepsico India chairman Rajeev Bakshi, the ministry has termed the newspaper ad as ‘‘unethical’’.

The Times of India – New Delhi – August 28, 2003 -Page No : 9

Soft-drinks, hard lessons
M. A. Venkat
Is the Government report a complete vindication of the soft-drink makers, whose products the Centre for Science and Environment said contained high levels of pesticides? Regardless of the claims and counters, the jury is still out on the issue, as a Joint Parliamentary Committee is to make further investigations. But the CSE findings have certainly placed the soft-drink makers in the dock. It is disappointing that the drinks, from multinationals, which most of us thought also symbolised quality should be suspect, and no better than the concoctions prepared by makeshift, roadside shops. Yet, these companies may get away because, unlike the West, India does not have specialised agencies to monitor production and distribution of beverages.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 28, 2008, Page 8

Govt mulls setting up 'safe limit' for drinking water
The Government is seriously considering setting safe limits for drinking water and groundwater. Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Sushma Swaraj announced on Wednesday that an ordinance is on the anvil to redefine Prevention of Food Adulteration Act to bring drinking water under its regulatory ambit. This come in the wake of bottled water controversy, and cola investigation by an NGO, raising issues of presence of pesticide in these products. The minister had discussion with the Agriculture Ministry to take a wholistic approach to the problem. Unrestricted use of pesticide is contaminating groundwater with no simple solutions to treat this water once polluted.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 28, 2003, Page 5

HC dismisses petition seeking ban of Pepsi
The Delhi High Court while dismissing a petition seeking a ban on the sale of Pepsi in the Capital said the issue of pesticides in soft drinks was being reviewed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The Division Bench of the Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice A K Sikri dismissed the petition filed by Bhartiya dalit and shoshit samaj, which said while cold drinks were no longer available in the Parliament house, it was allowed to be freely sold in the city and its surroundings, and demanded it to be stopped. However, the judges dismissed the petition noting the statement of additional solicitor general K K Sud that the jpc was would inquire into the findings of the centre of science and environment (CSE) report on the presence of pesticides in cold drinks as well as set standards for various beverages, including soft drinks.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 28, 2003, Page 3

Here’s my daily pesticide intake
The consumer is hungry, both for safe food and water as well as for information. If anything, 2003 can be termed as a ‘‘safe food awareness’’ year. Never in the past has the increasingly powerful urban middle class been shocked as much by what it eats and drinks. The issue equally concerns poor undernourished consumers as well, who consume differently. And never has the media consistently done what it should have much earlier — warn consumers what about they are eating! But what next? In a land of food surplus and with grain rotting in godowns, clearly the green revolution has done its bit. However, it has also taken its toll. The time has come for Indian consumers to demand their right to safe food.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 28, 2003, Page 8

Safety norms for water soon:
Govt There have been no safety norms for drinking water in the country because water was not included in the definition of food. The government is now about to set that right. Safety standards will be set for drinking water once it is included in the definition of food under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA), Health Minister Sushma Swaraj said. The results of the tests on 12 soft drink brands in government laboratories will be made public. Sushma brushed aside allegations by the Centre for Science and Environment that the government report was not accessible. "There is nothing hidden on the issue. We will make the report public tomorrow," she said. l

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 28, 2003, Page 7

DJB water: Use at own risk
You’d probably be on a weak legal wicket if you moved court over the unsafe water from your kitchen tap. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Act, 1998 does not recognise your right to clean drinking water. Section 9 of the Act says DJB "may treat, supply and distribute water for household consumption or other purposes to those parts of Delhi where there are houses whether through pipes or other means". It does not promise either ‘wholesome’ or ‘potable’ water. Director of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Sunita Narain, however pointed out that the CPHEEO ‘guidelines’ were in fact just that — guidelines. They were not binding on DJB. So the Board actually could end up causing serious health problems without inviting legal action. "Poor quality water can trigger off diseases like cancer by suppressing the immune system," she said.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 28, 0203, Page 3

Cola firms wooing kids
Undeterred by the adverse trend prevailing in Kerala state, the cola companies are not sparing any chances to win the hearts of the children. The cola companies have introduced a new idea to attract the tiny tots with plastic balls and various types of toys printed with the brand names like Coca-cola, Pepsi, 7 up, Mirinda, Fanta, Sprite, etc.

The New Indian Express, Kochi, August 27, 2003, Page No. 5

Mumbai High Court clears Coca-Cola
The Mumbai High Court has set aside an order by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration prohibiting the sale of a particular batch of products from the Pune plant of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd. The high court issued the order on after receiving the test reports of seven samples of four brands — Coke, Limca, Thums Up and Sprite — where all samples tested had pesticide residue below European standards. The court said that as per the additional government pleader, the report of the samples of sweetened carbonated beverages confirm to the standards as per the PFA Rules, 1955.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 27, 2003, Page No. 9

Not only coke but pesticide industry also culprit
By Sridhar R
The last two weeks saw one of the biggest public health scandals in the country, with teh Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment revealing that the most prominent of soft drinks available here are contaminated with pesticides as worse as DDT, BHC, Malathion and Chlorpyrifos. While two of the soft drinks majors have been squarely attacked, the real names behind this scandal are not just coke and pepsi but pesticides like DDT, Malathion, Chlorpyrifos etc and their manufacturers. These chemicals can cause permanent disorders that could affect offspring. So let us not just think in terms of safe Pepsi and Safe Cokes. Let us think about safe food and healthy environment. Let us also as farmers and consumers come together and force this obligation out of our governments.

The New Indian Express, Kochi, August 26, 2003, Page No. 6

Centre asked to prescribe norms for drinking water
The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to frame guidelines and fix standards for drinking water to make it free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. In this regard, the Apex Court issued notices to the ministries of Food and Consumer Affairs, Health and Family Welfare and Environment and Forests. A division bench comprising Chief Justice V N Khare and Justice S B Sinha treated as petition a letter from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) seeking the court’s intervention to direct the Centre to fix proper standards for drinking water. On behalf of the CSE, senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan said that the government has come out with a notification fixing standards for bottled water after CSE made public its research findings showing high pesticide content in them.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, August 26, 2003, Page 7

Govt wants Cola firm to apologise
The Health Ministry wants "unconditional apology" from cola company and withdrawal of the advertisement using a selective part of health minister's statement. What Hollywood stars could not have done for their sales, the cola companies hoped the Union Health minister would do, undoing the damage to their reputation. Selectively interpreting the health minister's speech in Parliament, they gave themselves a clean chit. Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Sushma Swaraj had last week objected to her name being extended in cola advertisement declaring these to be safe drinks. But the advertising managers of the cola company did not seem to have taken her objection seriously.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, Page No. 5

Plea to fix standards of drinking water
After warning of pesticide content in bottled water and soft drinks, Centre for Environment Studies, in a petition before the Supreme Court on Monday said that the Government should frame appropriate guidelines to fix standards for drinking water to rid it of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. A Bench, comprising Chief Justice V N Khare and Justice S B Sinha, issued notices to the Union ministries of health, food and consumer affairs and environment on the petition received by the court through post. Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan and advocate Sanjay Parikh said the Government had come out with a notification fixing standards for the bottled water after the cse made public its research findings indicating high pesticide content in them.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, Page No. 5

Govt tells Pepsi to apologise for ‘Sushma ad’
By Toufiq Rashid
The Health Ministry has advised Pepsico India Holdings Pvt Ltd to issue an unconditional apology and publish it in all national dailies, where a Pepsi advertisement endorsing the product had appeared. A letter has been sent by Joint Secretary, Deepak Gupta, in which the ministry has issued a warning of taking ‘‘further action’’ if the company does not comply. Reprimanding the company by saying that using the minister’s (Sushma Swaraj) name for promoting sales as unethical and also against advertising norms, the ministry has demanded immediate withdrawal of the advertisement.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, Page No. 5

SC notices to Govt on clean water, CSE happy
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance and served notices to three Union ministries — Health, Food and Consumer Affairs and Environment — for ensuring availability and quality of drinking water in the country, and framing guidelines for the same. Welcoming the action, the Centre for Science And Environment (CSE) said: ‘‘The genesis of this order is a letter written by us five months ago. The letter was written to the key members of the judiciary informing them about the pesticide residues in bottled water and raising issues of groundwater and surface water contamination.’’

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, Page No. 5

Centre ticks off Pepsi for quoting Sushma in ad
The Health Ministry shot off a stern letter to Pepsico Chairman Rajeev Bakshi on Saturday, ticking him off for quoting Health Minister Sushma Swaraj in a Pepsi advertisement. The Ministry has demanded an "unconditional apology" and a withdrawal of the advertisement "and any other campaigns of this nature you propose to launch." "Your advertisement is misleading as only a part of one sentence given in the statement of the Minister before the Lok Sabha has been used in the advertisement," noted joint secretary Deepak Gupta in the letter. "It is obvious that the remaining part of the sentence has been willfully concealed with questionable motives."

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, Page No. 11

SC notices to Centre on drinking water
Close on the heels of the controversy over the reported presence of pesticides in soft drinks, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to come out with its stand on fixing norms for drinking water. A bench comprising Chief Justice V.N. Khare and Justice S.B. Sinha issued notices to the Health, the Food and Consumer Affairs and the Environment Ministries on the basis of a letter it received from the Centre for Science and Environment. Treating the letter as a PIL, the bench asked the Centre to file an affidavit within four weeks.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, Page No. 11

SC slaps notice on govt over polluted drinking water
After warning in bottled water and soft drinks, the Centre for Science and Environment Studies, in a petition before the Supreme Court has said the government should frame appropriate guidelines to fix standards for drinking water to rid it of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, Page No. 3

Pepsi Apologises To Angry Sushma
Soft drink major Pepsico will apologise to the health ministry for its advertisement of August 22 which according to the ministry ‘used the name of the health and family welfare minister Sushma Swaraj to endorse its product’. Taking serious note of the “misleading” advertisement, the ministry, sought “unconditional apology” from the company and also asked the company to withdraw the advertisement. “We meant no offence with our advertisement. The directions of the health ministry are being complied with,” A Pepsi statement said in response to the health ministry’s directions. The said ad, meanwhile, was carried only on August 22.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, Page No. 14

After colas, it is drinking water
After ranking up the controversy over the presence of pesticides in the soft drinks above the European Union norms, the NGO Centre for Environment Studies sought a direction from the Supreme Court to the Union Government for fixing the standard of drinking water in the country. Converting the CSE's letter into a public interest litigation, the court asked Additional Solicitor-General Mukul Rohtagi to file an affidavit on behalf of the government indicating what step it proposed to take to ensure safe drinking water throughout the country, without having the pesticide contents to a dangerous level.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, page-2

Indian food chain is highly contaminated
A row over pesticides in soft drinks made by Coke and Pepsi is forcing Indians to face an unpalatable truth: harmful toxins are lurking in their food chain. From the water they drink to the oil and ghee they cook with to the milk they feed their children, Indians daily digest a mix of pesticides, heavy metals, carcinogens and poisons, activists say. "Our whole system is poisoned," said Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment that sparked the drinks row in the world's second most populous nation.

Business Standard, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, page-2

SC issues notices on potable water quality
The Supreme Court issued notices to several Union ministries, including the food and civil supplies, the environment and the health ministries asking them to detail steps they have taken to draw up standards to check the quality of drinking water available across the country. The Centre for Science and Environment, whose letter to the court on the issue was converted into a Public Litigation welcomed the Supreme Court's action on the "right to clean drinking water". CSE director Ms Sunita Narain also took the opportunity to demand "legally enforceable safe drinking water norms".

The Statesman, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, page-4

Health Ministry seeks apology from Pepsi
The Union Ministry has taken serious note of the "misleading" advertisement issued by soft drink major Pepsi, and has sought an "unconditional" apology from the company for stating in the advertisement that the Health Minister, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, had given a clean chit on the pesticides issue.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 26, 2003, page-13

India pesticides charges Dog Coca-Cola, PepsiCo
Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. face new hurdles to regaining public trust in India despite an announcement by the government that the level of pesticide residues in their products conforms to local quality standards. Opposition lawmakers pushed the government to institute a public inquiry into allegations that pesticide residues in soft drinks are too high, even if tests have shown they meet the current standards. The probe means that an issue the companies would prefer to put behind them will remain in the public eye at least until the panel’s findings are presented in November.

The Asian Wall Street Journal, HongKong, August 25, 2003, Page No. A3

Not another JPC
The cola wars have taken a strange turn. The government's tests show pesticide levels in the majority of tested bottles to be above the European norms that have been notified recently for bottled water in India, norms that become effective in January. However, the pesticide levels are well below what had been reported earlier by Centre for Science and Environment, and also within the current norms for bottled water......Editorial.

Business Standard, New Delhi August 25, 2003, page-11

JPC for colas, what about water?
So Parliament has decided to constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate the matter of controlling pesticide levels in soft drinks in the country. Their move is laudable and has been hailed by the NGO community in the country. But has anyone wondered why Parliament and the government have not shown similar concern about the 60 per cent of the country that does not have access to safe drinking water, and for the balance that does get water but contaminated by all manner of bacterial and chemical matter?

Times of India, New Delhi, August 25, 2003, Page No. 7

Just plain gas?
Is this a case of pouring cola over troubled waters? See how Parliament’s alacrity in constituting a joint committee to inquire into pesticide contamination of carbonated soft drinks has altered the dynamics at Sansad Bhavan. Just the other day, Lok Sabha members were using the no-trust vote to quibble over the pettiest of political points, giving every indication that non-cooperation would hence forth be the guiding mantra. And now here they are, with their nominees on the JPC earnestly resolved to sit together in the weeks ahead and evolve safety standards for soft drinks. This display of united responsiveness would be laudable if it weren’t so ludicrous. The JPC, under Sharad Pawar’s leadership, has taken on the task of scrutinising the Centre for Science and Environment’s report and suggesting appropriate standards for soft drinks...editorial

The Indian Expresss, New Delhi, August 25, 2003, Page No. 8

Experts root for organic farming
A petition filed by NGO Srishti on pesticide contamination in foods is coming up in Supreme Court on Monday. As a precursor to the hearing, Srishti today organised a discussion on safe foods between experts and stakeholders. Plans were made on how to strengthen the petition in the wake of the controversy over pesticide residues in soft drinks. The petitioners have quoted various studies by government institutions and NGOs, such as the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), on excessive pesticide residues in vegetables, milk, cereals and water and their impact on health. The petition seeks to impose a ban on those synthetic chemicals in the country that are not allowed in other countries.

The Indian Expresss, New Delhi, August 25, 2003, Page 3supp

The average Indian be damned
By Anjan Mitra
The controversy that is buffeting the cola giants Pepsi and Coca-Cola, two of the biggest ad spenders in India, throws up issues of the power such global companies wield through their advertising budgets. The health of the average Indian is certainly not an issue here; it is just a via medium for some muck to be raked up. Only a day after the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a non-governmental organisation, released reports that said pesticide content in both Pepsi and Coke were way beyond the levels that the human body can take, the so-called independent Indian media went "soft" on the issue.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 25, 2003, Page 3supp

Cola majors wait & watch on damage control
By Ratna Bhushan
Damage control by the two soft drink companies, facing their biggest controversy in the Indian market in the wake of the pesticide issue, continues to be uncertain. While the final verdict on whether soft drinks contain impermissible levels of pesticide residue as alleged by the Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) has been put off till the 15-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) submits its report in the next session of Parliament, both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are now adopting a guarded, wait-and-watch approach as far as "connecting back with the consumer" is concerned.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 25, 2003, Page No. 1

Poisoned water
The recent controversy regarding certain popular brands of soft drinks has focused attention on the highly polluted quality of ground water available in India. Reports showing high levels of cadmium in ground water are available, but since the political will required to tackle the problem is almost completely absent, few state governments have taken steps to restore the quality of ground water. While soft drinks and mineral water are usually consumed by the urban middle classes, more than 60 per cent of Indians rely on ground water for daily consumption. Several months ago, an official study had identified the various agricultural and industrial pollutants that are chiefly responsible for making much of the ground water that the ordinary people use unfit for human consumption...editorial

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 25, 2003, Page No. 16

We need a regulatory spine
By Sunita Narain
On a TV talk show, a Congress MP demanded that action should be taken against the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) for its study on pesticide residues in soft drinks. Her contention was that as the study was proven wrong by the government, firm steps must be taken to ensure that the organisation is made to pay for its actions. When her colleagues on the panel explained that the issue was not just of two laboratory reports but about regulation, or the lack of it on this ‘food’ industry and gave credit to CSE for bringing up the issue, the legislator back-tracked. She then demanded that action should be taken by the government, against the government! The debate is about public health. India needs mechanisms to manage industrial growth and its toxic fallouts.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 24, 2003, Page No. 10

Coke Readies For Political Football
On August 5, Pepsi broke the bad news. Both cola bosses realised what CSE’s charge would do to their sales and goodwill. “We had to clear our name,” recalls Gupta. Jointly, if necessary. And fast. The multi-pronged collaboration — in meetings with stakeholders, the language media, schools, retailers, and media rounds — may, however, be a case of “you just ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” What lies ahead is a political minefield. In her effort to outbid the Opposition, health and family welfare minister Sushma Swaraj has conceded to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe. Senior party leaders blame her for landing the BJP in a spot: she needn’t have announced the lab reports in Parliament, in the first place. A laboratory spokesman could have done that. Party leaders wonder how the minister couldn’t anticipate the predictable Opposition googly that Coca-Cola and Pepsi gave bribes to clear their name.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 24, 2003, Page No. 1

Coke and Pepsi face health inquiry in India
India is to set up a 15-member panel of lawmakers to investigate allegations of pesticides found in soft drinks made by the local units of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, Health Minister Sushma Swaraj said. Indian lawmakers had sought a ban on the drinks after a report by a New Delhi based research institute on Aug. 5 said they contained traces of pesticides, including DDT and malathion, in 12 soft drink brands, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Mirinda, Diet Pepsi, Fanta and Limca.

The International Herald Tribune, Bangkok, August 23-24, 2003, Page No. 12

'Standards for drinking water being examined'
The Government is examining the issue of prescribing drinking water standards, the lack of which is the crux of the present controversy over the quality of bottled colas and other soft drinks. The laboratory analysis of the contents of some bottled colas carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment which led to the current controversy had indeed done a service in that it had highlighted the problem for water pollution which was the crux of the problem in all packed liquid edible items, she said.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, page-11

Confusion confounded
The Government’s statement in Parliament on the quality of soft drinks produced in the country does not satisfactorily address concerns about the health standards of these products. In fact, the statement only adds to the prevailing confusion about the degree of risk posed by consumption of these carbonated drinks. The residue levels were at the same time lower in Government tests than in those conducted by the CSE……Editorial.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, page-10

JPC gets 3 months time to solve cola controversy
A day after the two Cola majors were left wondering what the joint parliamentary committee, set up to look into complaints of high levels of pesticide in the soft drinks manufactured by them, had in store for them, the terms of reference set out of the panel and the fact that it was being headed by the NCP president, Mr Sharad Pawar, widely perceived to be industry friendly, brought some relief to them. The committee has been entrusted with a two point terms, of reference. It has been asked to report "whether the recent findings of the Centre for Science and Environment regarding pesticide residues in soft drink are correct or not, and to suggest criteria for evolving suitable safety standards for soft drinks, fruit juice and other beverages where water is the main constituent."

The Economic Times, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, page-2

Pawar-led JPC to probe CSE report on soft drinks
A 15-member Joint Parliamentary Committee, headed by NCP leader Sharad Pawar, was today set up to probe the report of Delhi-based Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) that presence of high percentage of pesticide residues in Coca Cola, Pepsi and ten other soft drink brands was harmful for health, reports PTI. A motion moved by Health Minister Sushma Swaraj for constituting a JPC to report whether the recent findings of the CSE regarding high pesticide residues in soft drinks were correct or not was adopted by Lok Sabha. Swaraj later told a press conference that Speaker Manohar Joshi had told her that Pawar would head the Committee. The Committee has been asked to suggest criteria for evolving suitable safety standards for soft drinks, fruit juice and other beverages where water is the main constituent, the motion said.

The Assam Tribune, Guwahati, August 23, 2003, Page No. 1

Pawar heads JPC on softdrinks
Kickstarting the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe on soft drinks, Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi today formed a 15-member JPC – headed by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar.The committe which has Karnataka BJP President Ananth Kumar as one of the members, will submit its report by the Winter Session. The JPC, created following a motion moved by Health Minister Sushma Swaraj, will not only scrutinise the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) claims of having high level of four pesticides in 12 common soft drinks, but also suggest suitable safety standards for soft drinks, fruit juice and other beverages where water is the main constituent.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, August 23, 2003, Page No. 1

Soft drinks controversy
The controversy over the quality and the content of soft drinks has been intensifying following the analysis of twelve soft drink brands including Pepsi and Coca Cola by a Delhi-based NGO, Centre for Science and Environment alleging that the analysis revealed existence of pesticide residues exceeding the European Union norms ranging from 11 to 70 times. Naturally the consumption of these drinks could cause serious health problems. Although the soft drink samples treated by competent laboratories revealed that the standard and the quality of water used conformed to the minimum standards, the Government offered to get the matter enquired into by a Joint Parliamentary Committee to allay any apprehension that all aspects had not been looked into...editorial

The Assam Tribune, Guwahati, August 23, 2003, Page No. 6

Devaluing Parliament
When the Government of India insisted that Bangladesh should subject the quality of its exports to testing by Indian standards institutions, Bangladesh protested. Tough luck, said the government, and correctly so because every country has its own standards institutions that attest to the quality of a product. But how can the Government of India defend internationally the objectivity of official certification in India if the Indian Parliament will not believe the testimony of official agencies? The demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee on the cola quality controversy is preposterous. What exactly will a JPC do? How will it investigate the charges? Will such an investigation not be based on the reports of the same official agencies? Moreover, the issue at hand is not whether the tests are correct or not, but whether we are willing to insist on European norms or not. If India does not insist on Euro compliance, what is the case against the Cola companies apart from what the Centre for Science and Environment has already said, namely, that multinational cola companies do not adhere to their own global standards in India? (Editorial)

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 6

Refreshing for a day, then 4 test positive
A day after Pepsi took out large advertisements in newspapers here urging consumers to ‘Refresh your faith…. Now, refresh your thirst’, the Maharashtra food and drug administration served a notice on the company saying four samples collected from the Khalapur plant in Raigad district contained high levels of pesticide residues.

Times of India, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 10

Pesticola : Norms and standards first priority
What does the clear signal for colas bode for an overall pesticide policy? Doctors and scientists came together at the Centre for Science and Environment office to discuss the dimensions, most agreeing on the need to do something but missing the basic structure of standards and expertise in which to operate. Alexander von Hildebrand, WHO’s regional advisor on promotion of chemical safety, said there is need for an agreement on standards, norms legislation; voluntary norms aren’t enough.

Times of India, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 10

Pawar to head JPC on colas
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar will head a 15- member joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to go into the controversy surrounding pesticide contents in colas. According to a resolution moved by Union health minister Sushma Swaraj in the Lok Sabha, the JPC will submit its report by the beginning of winter session. The JPC will examine whether the recent CSE findings on pesticide residues in soft drinks are correct.

Times of India, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 1

Cola: Day after, it’s your test vs my test
That the central issue of regulation of the quality of aerated drinks hasn’t been addressed—despite the claims and counter-claims from all sides—is becoming evident now. A day after the Centre’s clean chit, Pepsico got a notice from the Maharashtra government that four samples picked from its Raigad plant contained a pesticide residue beyond the stipulated limit. This comes just two days after the state’s Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approved samples collected from a plant in Pune. ‘‘Four Pepsi samples contained Lindane, a toxic pesticide, in a quantity 25 to 70 times more than the permissible limit for drinking water,’’ said FDA Minister Anil Deshmukh today.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 1

JPC to probe cola row; report by next session
The government set up a 15-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the controversy over the reported presence of pesticides in soft drinks and submit its findings by the beginning of the next session of Parliament. The committee may be headed by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. The Opposition had been alleging that the government received money from soft drink manufacturers to give them a clean chit. Moving a motion in the Lok Sabha, Health and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the panel will comprise 10 members from the Lower House and five from the Rajya Sabha. The motion was adopted by a voice vote.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 1

The real thing: tainted groundwater
So Sushma Swaraj has given a clean chit to the dozen brands of carbonated drinks allegedly laced with high levels of pesticide. That should signal the end of the anti-MNC hysteria that gave many a weekend patriot something to rave and rant about. But does that mean that the cold drink is safe for consumption again? To answer that query which seems to have been lost in the tirade against ‘bottled American imperialism’, it’s better to go beyond the fizz...editorial

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 10

Intriguing haste
The Union health ministry could have taken a few days more to come up with its findings on the toxic content of the popular brands of soft drinks; by rushing through with a reaction, and that too of a kind which apparently favours the argument proffered by the powerful players in the cola segment, the government has done itself no credit. The least that Ms Sushma Swaraj should have done was to clarify the scientific basis of its findings. This could have been further buttressed by giving out the names of the institutions and experts who went into the Centre for Science and Environment’s conclusions on the issue...editorial

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 12

Fizz is back
The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Chennai, and the Central Food Laboratory (CFL), Kolkata, have established that the samples of leading aerated drinks-namely, Coca-Cola and Pepsi-tested by them contained safe packaged drinking water. It is, therefore, to be hoped that the alarm caused by the Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE's) disclosure about their being "heavily" contaminated will subside. Considering the CSE's report on August 5-that soft drinks manufactured by two leading multinational corporations contained high levels of pesticide residue-had set off shock waves throughout the country, the Union Government has discharged its responsibility well by asking the country's leading research laboratories to conduct independent analysis of the products, and making their reports public...editorial

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 6

15-member JPC formed to probe cola controversy
The Union government on Friday constituted a 15-member Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate the reported presence of pesticides in Coca Cola, Pepsi and ten other soft drinks. The Lok Sabha adopted a motion moved by health minister Sushma Swaraj for setting up of the JPC by voice vote. Of the 15 members, ten will be from Lok Sabha and five from Rajya Sabha, she said. The members from Lok Sabha are: Sharad Pawar (NCP), K Yerranaidu (TDP), Sudha Yadav and Anant Kumar (BJP), Ramesh Chennithala and Avtar Singh Bhadana (Congress), E Ahmed (Muslim League), Ranjit Panja (Trinamool Congress), Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and Anil Basu (CPM).

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 5

Sharad Pawar heads JPC
The Cola controversy on Friday moved to a different platform with the Government setting up a 15-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), under the chairmanship of Mr Sharad Pawar (NCP). The JPC would go into the controversy over the reported presence of pesticides in soft drinks with a fine comb and is expected to submit its report by the beginning of the next session of Parliament. The 15-member JPC, comprising 10 members from the Lok Sabha and five from the Rajya Sabha, will assess the findings of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the environmental organisation that had alleged the presence of pesticide residues in soft drinks, much above the limits laid out by the European Union (EU) norms.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 1

Beyond the bottle
If nothing else, the Union Health Minister, Ms Sushma Swaraj's statement on the outcome of tests conducted by government laboratories on soft-drinks manufactured in the country is the first official acceptance on the need to set the permissible level of pesticide residue in carbonated beverages made in India. That it required the initiative of a non-governmental organisation to spur the Government into even recognising that the extant standards fall short on a vital aspect of public health; undertake sample testing and lay down new benchmarks shows up the poor levels of accountability. That carbonated beverages have been consumed by the public for a number of years, even before the advent of multinationals, is a sad commentary on governance...editorial

Business Line, New Delhi, August 23, 2003, Page No. 8

Coca – Cola, PepsiCo pass India’s standards
Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. received a stamp of approval from the Indian government when it announced that its tests showed pesticide residues in their soft drinks to be far lower than a local environmental group had contended. India’s health minister, Sushma Swaraj, told the Parliament in New Delhi that all of the 12 brands of soft drink tested by two government laboratories were safe to drink and met the current Indian standards for bottled water.

The Asian Wall Street Journal, HongKong, August 22, 2003, Page No. A3

India govt lets Pepsi, Coke off the hook
The Indian government said that soft drinks sold by Cola-Cola and Pepsi met local standards and did not include the high levels of pesticides as alleged in an environemntal group’s report that triggered nationwide protests. The government said its tests of the US giants’ 12 soft drinks named in the study showed all were ‘well within the safety limits’ of India.

The Kathmandu Post, Kathmandu, August 22, 2003, Page No. 8

Coke and Pepsi met Indian standards
Health minister Sushma Swaraj of India said that soft drinks made by local units of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo met the country’s safety limit prescribed for bottled drinking water. ‘The soft drinks are well within the safety limits prescribed for packaged drinking water at present’, she said, speaking to lawmakers in the lower house of Parliament.

International Herald Tribune, Bangkok, August 22, 2003, Page No. B1

Pesticides probe finds Indian colas are safe to consume
New Delhi said that government laboratory tests had shown the locally produced soft drinks of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo were safe for public consumption. The statement came a fortnight after the Centre for Science and Environment, an independent lobby group, alleged the Indian products of both multinational companies contained pesticides far in excess of European Union regulatory norms.

Financial Times, London, August 22, 2003, Page No. 5

LS Speaker orders JPC investigation
In a new twist to the pesticide-in-soft-drink debate, Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi today decided to set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for a probe into allegations of pesticides in soft drinks. The Speaker’s decision followed strong reactions from the Opposition members who had objected to Health Minister Sushma Swaraj’s statement that though a majority of soft drink brands contained pesticides, the amounts were “well within the safety limits.” Following the pesticide revelations made by Delhi-based NGO, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), more than two weeks ago, the Health Ministry had sent samples of 12 soft drink brands to the Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysore and the Central Food Laboratory (CFL) in Kolkata for evaluation.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, August 22, 2003, Page No. 1

Pepsico lost fizz, came under scanner 4 years back in state
Much before the Centre for Science and Environment came out with its "toxic" findings, closer home, the then Kancheepuram District Revenue Officer, U Sagayam, had ordered suspension of production at PepsiCo's Mamandur plant "to prevent imminent health hazard". The closure order dated November 24, 1999, a copy of which is available with this paper, was passed after a test found the contents of 7 Up, a popular PepsiCo product, sold in the region adulterated.

The New Indian Express, Chennai, August 21, 2003, page-1

Pepsi To Use Bottled Water From Now On, Says Bakshi
Even as the dust raised over alleged pesticides in soft drinks is yet to settle down, Pepsico has decided to use bottled water for its Fountain Pepsi outlets across the country against filtered tap water being used at present. The cola major also plans to launch its Aquafina brand of bottled water in 25 ml jar packs in the city soon. “We have decided to use bottled water only for Fountain Pepsi in India. This decision was taken last week after the pesticide controversy broke out,” Pepsico India chairman Rajeev Bakshi said here. He said initially the company will use other bottled water brands available in large-sized packs like 25 ml jars till its own brand is available in the larger packs.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 21, 2003, Page No. 4

Big drop in sale of Pepsi, other soft drinks after CSE report
Sales of Pepsi and its other soft drink products have seen a dramatic downturn ever since the Centre for Science and Environment made public its report on the presence of pesticides in soft drinks. What was considered an in thing has become anathema in the city of dreams. Most restaurants in the city have reported more than 50 per cent drop in sales. Soft drinks have been rapidly replaced as the preferred thirst-quencher with the humble nimbu pani, or what in restaurants is termed as fresh lime soda. Iced tea, different varieties of coffee and coconut water are some of the other alternatives to colas and other drinks.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 21, 2003, Page No. 1

Bottled water will be used for fountain Pepsi
The cola major PepsiCo has decided to use bottled water for its fountain Pepsi outlets across the country against filtered tap water being used at present. It also plans to launch its Aquafina brand of bottled water in 25 ml jar packs in the Capital soon. "We have decided to use bottled water only for fountain Pepsi in India. This decision was taken last week," PepsiCo India chairman Rajeev Bakshi said.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 21, 2003, Page No. 8

How about EU norms for drinking water?
By Barun Mitra
Per capita consumption of soft drinks in India is six bottles a year. When over a quarter of the people live on less than a dollar a day, this is not surprising. Even in countries like Thailand, per capita consumption is about 80 bottles a year; in the United States, it is 800 bottles. As for packaged water, less than one per cent of Indians can afford to drink it regularly. Yet the problem of safe drinking water rarely catches the fancy of policy makers, politicians and the media. If it did, we would find no one to blame but ourselves. But of course, it is easy to blame someone else, even more so an MNC. More interestingly, we seem to move from having no standards for potable water to the toughest standards, without a thought to the relevance and associated costs. The EU not only has high standards, but it can, more pertinently, afford those standards.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 21, 2003, Page No. 9

Maharashtra thumbs up for some soft drinks
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, on Wednesday gave the all-clear to aerated drinks in the state. The FDA said the samples of Thums Up and Limca from Coca-Cola's Pune plant that were tested did not have any pesticides in them. The FDA
still has to carry out tests on samples of Coke. Earlier, a local inspector had banned the sale of stocks worth Rs 66 lakh from the Coca-Cola plant after Delhi-based NGO Centre for Science and Environment published a report about pesticide contamination in leading soft-drink brands in the country.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 21, 2003, Page No. 1

Dams and Water Resources
Water harvesting: Villages next?
An interactive session organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) saw those associated with water harvesting projects sharing their experiences with officials of the Delhi government, Delhi Jal Board and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). CSE director Sunita Narain says that water has risen by 2-12 metres in the Capital's five model projects.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 21, 2003, Page 3supp

Environment News
Book Week at Springdales, Pusa Road
Book Week celebrations at Springdales School, Pusa Road, culminated in a valedictory function, based on the theme 'Earth Watch'. Principal, Mrs. Ameeta M. Wattal, emphasised that there could be no development as long as 85% of the world resources were managed by only 20% of the people. The keynote address was delivered by the chief guest, Mrs. Sunita Narain, Director, Centre of Science and Environment. The school choir rendered the 'Earth Song' followed by a PowerPoint presentation and a dance 'Life is a celebration'.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 20, 2003, Page No. 2

Soft Drink Makers May Face Mandatory Certification
Union food and consumer affairs ministry is willing to introduce mandatory quality certification of carbonated soft drinks like Pepsi and Coca Cola by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provided the health ministry gives a green signal. Consumer affairs secretary Wajahat Habibullah said that so far the multinationals in question had not yet approached either the ministry or the BIS for mandatory certification of their products. “BIS has already evolved voluntary quality standard certification for the quality of carbonated soft drinks. Pepsi and Coke have so far not adopted this voluntary certification”, he said.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 20, 2003, Page No. 9

Coke happy with Kerala test results on samples
Coca-Cola India today welcomed the test results of its samples by the Directorate of Health, Government of Kerala. "The tests showed no traces of pesticides and cadmium. Traces of lead were well below the permissible limits," the company said in a communiqué issued here today. "This vindicates our position that our products are absolutely safe and conforms to all national and international standards," said Mr Sunil Gupta, Vice-President of Coca-Cola India.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 20, 2003, Page No. 17

Nourishing the bottomline
By K. P. Prabhakaran Nair
In this era of unbridled globalisation — where making a fast buck has become the market mantra — two events have cast a deep shadow on the nation. While one rocked Parliament, the other has escaped the attention of most. First, around six months back, the presence of toxic residues in packaged water — a Rs 1,000-crore-plus business controlled by brand majors, including two global players — was brought to light by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based NGO. After the initial clamour, including by politicians who wanted to draw some mileage out of it, the issue faded from the limelight. The water majors, taking recourse to alibis, continue to sell their wares, with celebrities from the celluloid and sports world chipping in — for a hefty fee, of course — to `push forward' the effort.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 20, 2003, Page No. 9

Coke does not conduct tests routine basis, says Maharashtra
The state government defended its decision to raid the Coca-Cola’s bottling plant at Pune, claiming the cola giant does not conduct routine tests for pesticide and insecticide residue. The state government, in an affidavit, was replying to the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages petition challenging the raid. Arguments remained inconclusive on Tuesday and the division bench of chief justice C.K. Thakker and justice S.J. Vajifdar adjourned the matter. M.S. Khembalkar, food inspector with the Pune Food and Drugs Administration, had raided Coca Cola’s bottling plant at Pirangaut in Pune and seized bottles and cans of Coca-Cola, Limca, Thums Up and Sprite on August 6, two days after the Centre for Science and Environment released a report that showed high levels of pesticides in Pepsi and Coca-Cola. Stocks worth over Rs 66 lakhs were seized.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 20, 2003, Page No. 3

Consumer forum fines Coke plant
A District Consumer Disputes Redressal forum has directed a Coca Cola bottling plant to pay more than rupees one lakh in fines and damages for releasing in the market a contaminated batch of soft drinks. A laboratory test found "foreign material injurious to health" in a 1.5 litre bottle of Coca Cola. The forum took action on a complaint filed on November 22, 2002, by Balwinder Singh of Kokari Kalan whose family became ill and had to undergo treatment after consuming the impugned soft drink. Based on the results of the laboratory test that detected harmful material in the soft drink sample, the forum directed the Coca Cola bottling plant at Baddi, in Solan to deposit rupees one lakh with the district Red Cross Society and Rs 10,000 as compensation to the complainant.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 20, 2003, Page No. 7

Multinational Egos
Pepsico India has taken serious umbrage over the fact that a non-government organization (NGO) should have the gumption to carry out unbidden tests on its products and to make its findings public, and that the Indian Government and the public should be taking the reports about the high level of pesticides in its product quite seriously. What must be even worse for a multinational like Pepsi is that both the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court should have declined to have anything to do in the matter. And so Pepsico India now presumes to tell a developing country like India what it can and cannot do where multinationals are concerned, since it obviously needs the incomes from multinational activities in the country...editorial

The Sentinel, Guwahati, August 19, 2003, Page No. 4

Coke gets clean chit from Nagaon officials!
At a time when health authorities have admitted that the Gas Chromatograph at the State Public Health Analysis Laboratory here, which is an equipment to read micro level of pesticide content, was out of order since the past three years, the office of the Joint Director of Health Services, Nagaon, has certified that the samples of Coca Cola brands of soft drinks collected from the district "conform to the standards." Meanwhile, Rohit Chopra, General Sales Manager of Coca Cola, NE Region, today said that following the findings of the CSE, the sale of soft drinks have dropped by about 30 per cent in the North-east. He questioned the methodology adopted during the laboratory analysis of the soft drinks by CSE.

The Sentinel, Guwahati, August 19, 2003, Page No. 1

Coke welcomes probe by Rajasthan lab
Coca-Cola India welcomed the speedy investigation by state public health lab in Rajasthan into samples of the company's soft drinks and their clearance under the PFA Act. "These independent results reconfirm the quality of products manufactured in our plants and we believe will help to restore consumer confidence," Coke said in a statement. It said a consistent testing protocol was needed to serve the interests of both consumers and beverage manufacturers.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 19, 2003, Page No. 9

BIS buys tme before deciding on cola norms
By Yoga Rangatia
In the heat of the cola controversy, the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) may buy time for things to cool a bit before deciding whether Cola companies should be asked to adhere to stricter quality norms. Monday's meeting of the Bureau discussed the issue of bringing aerated drinks under the ambit of food licensing, but did not take a decision on the matter. The Bureau, however, again recommended to the Union Health ministry, that both bottled water and soda companies should take prior permission for extracting groundwater. Earlier, the Health Ministry had dropped the suggestion from its final notification for bottled water, possibly because the groundwater authorities were not equipped to check the quality of groundwater. Representatives of the Union Health Ministry were not able to attend the Monday meeting at BIS.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 19, 2003, Page No. 5

Cleaning up at source
By Yoga Rangatia
The cola controversy proves that "capitalism" is a dirtier word than "environmentalism" for our ruling class. What else explains their irrational banning of softdrinks from Parliament, but letting the Government off by not demanding any probe into the quality of drinking water that a billion Indians drink? The public discourse has unfortunately veered towards whether cola companies should abide by stricter European standards or the relatively generalised WHO norms. The socialist gut of most politicians cannot swallow that the companies can provide better quality aerated drinks in the West and serve us a toxic cocktail. The "multinational" angle itself has hijacked the debate from the intended expose, that of serious drinking water contamination in the country.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 19, 2003, Page No. 7

Everything forgettable about it
By Sidharth Bhatia
What is it about Coca-Cola that generates such passion? It is, after all, only coloured and carbonated sugar water (the myths surrounding its "secret formula" known only to five people has somewhat dissipated, now that scores of imitators are out in the market). It's nice enough when drunk chilled on a hot summer day, but a warm Coke tastes awful. For the desi palate, in fact, a nimbu pani is far more refreshing. And yet, the very mention of Coca-Cola gets people hot and bothered, and not only in India. Leftists and swadeshi alike see it as the incarnation of all evil, a multinational behemoth that stands for everything that is ugly about capitalism: Promoting consumerism and crushing the competition. Coca-colonisation was a convenient buzzword in the 1970s, and only now has the drink been replaced by the McDonald's burger as a symbol of the first world imposing its values on the third world and sucking its economies dry.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 19, 2003, Page No. 6

Pepsi Questions CSE Test Technique
From rhetorics, counter allegations and legal action, the focus of the cold drink contamination drama stirred by the Delhi-based NGO Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), has finally shifted to the core of the issue: the ‘technicalities’ of the CSE’s testing methodology. In a 15-page presentation, PepsiCo India managing director Rajeev Bakshi has criticised the test methodology used by the CSE to test soft drink samples. Apart from challenging the Centre for ‘not confirming the results’, Mr Bakshi states in his presentation that CSE is neither accredited nor recognised. Further, he alleges that though CSE states it uses USEPA 8141A test methods, there are at ‘serious deviations from standardised test methodology’.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 19, 2003, Page No. 9

Kerala Government Not ‘Coke’ Sure About Making Clean Chit Public
By M Sarita Varma
Coke and Pepsi have a cloaked clean chit in store for them in Kerala. Contrary to the New Delhi-based NGO’s findings, the soft drink samples have yielded no pesticide residue in the latest analysis of Kerala government Analyst Laboratory. All tests were complete by Monday morning, but the state government is hush-hush about making the latest report public. According to information available with FE, no trace of lindane, DDT, malathion and chlorpyrifos could be found in the samples collected from Coke and Pepsi plants and retail outlets in Kerala. A battery of five scientists put in extra hours on the week-long high performance liquid chromotographic test (HPLC) on the samples.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 19, 2003, Page No. 9

BIS reviews quality standards for carbonated beverages
Close on the heels of a raging pesticides-cola controversy, Bureau of Indian Standards reviewed the quality standard for carbonated beverages and deliberated upon its upgradation. “As part of routine, BIS reviews the standards for all the products periodically, in fact, the exercise had fallen behind schedule. Today, it was the turn of carbonated beverages and standing committee on the product looked at its existing standard, “ the consumer Affairs Secretary, Mr Wajahat Habibullah, said.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 19, 2003, Page No. 5

BIS wants European standards
The BIS is likely to apply European norms for pesticide content in bottled water, applicable from the next year. The same standard may also apply to soft drinks. The BIS, however, has no final say as it is up ot the government to make the standards legally binding.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 19, 2003, Page No. 8

Tests show no cadmium in coke
The tests of the analytical laboratory have proven that there is no presence of cadmium in the samples of Coca-cola collected by food inspectors from different parts of Kerala. Health director Dr V K Rajan said that the presence of lead in the tested samples was below the permissible level while no pesticides were found in the drinks.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 19, 2003, Page No. 4

Fizz and bluster
Pepsi and Coke make significant errors in their response to the CSE allegations. The $1.2 billion aerated soft drinks market in India has always been the playground for bitter competition between top rivals Coke and Pepsi.

Business India, Mumbai, August 18, 2003, page-11

Episode 2
A Delhi NGO takes the fizz out of the colas. Although the Centre for Science and Environment vehemently denies it, it was clearly only a matter of time before the Delhi based NGO that spilled the beans about the presence of pesticides in bottled water got round to alleging that the same pesticides were present in aerated water as well.

Business India, Mumbai, August 18, 2003, page-28

BIS Review Of Quality Norms For Soft Drinks Today
In the backdrop of the raging pesticides-cola controversy, a crucial meeting of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will be held here on Monday to discuss a review of standards for soft drinks, including their possible upgradation. In line with the directives of consumer affairs minister Sharad Yadav, BIS intends to make standards of all products “dynamic”, with the same being revised according to the market and technological developments and not after a fixed time period.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 17, 2003, Page No. 3

BIS to review norms for soft drinks today
A crucial meeting of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will be held on Monday to discuss a review of standards for soft drinks. Results of the review for soft drinks will be discussed in the meeting. In line with the directives of Consumer Affairs Minister Sharad Yadav, BIS intends to make standards of all products "dynamic", with the same being revised according to the market and technological developments and not after a fixed time period. BIS had published an Indian Standard on Carbonated Beverages, which was reaffirmed in 1997 and then again earlier this year.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 17, 2003, Page No. 11

Cola firms confusing people: CSE
Angry at the cola companies' attempts to discredit its intentions and methodology, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) sent out a strong rejoinder that the cola companies are attempting to confuse the public with misinformation. On the raging debate whether stricter EU norms should be effected in the country, CSE said: "Our concern is the health of Indians, not whether the Government adopts EU norms or not. We will definitely be happier if the Government comes up with its own set of norms, as long as these are scientifically defendable," The NGO countered the criticism on its methodologies as a strategy to descredit it. First, contrary to the claim of the multinational companies, the tests were confirmed using a mass spectrophotometer, a detector used with gas chromotograph.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 17, 2003, Page No. 5

Its teeth cut on cola, Govt. gets food Act bite
Amid the cola controversy, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be moving an amendment Bill for the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. This is to give more teeth to the Act, to ensure safety in consumption of these food items and for safeguarding
against adulteration. The Act is basic statute intended to protect the common consumer against the supply of adulterated food. It deals with all kinds of packaged food or food items including the much-publicised carbonate drinks. The Act is applicable to items imported
into India and also the items manufactured in the country.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 17, 2003, Page No. 3

Rainwater Harvesting
Quality stands next to quantity
By Santanu Bose
According to a report by TERI, the average consumption in Delhi is estimated at 240 litres per capita per day (lpcd), which is the highest in the country. The water demand is increasing as the city attracts more than four lakh entrants each year. Both quality and availability is deteriorating because of excessive withdrawal of the water below surface. The more we depend on ground the more the quality goes down. But the city could easily utilise various baolis (wells) to meet their water requirement. "No attempt was made to clean up the channels through which rainwater flowed into the baoli. There is no proper maintenance. These baolis could help meet city's water crisis," says Sunita Narain of centre for Science and Environment.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 17, 2003, Page 5supp

Don’t adopt EU norms blindly: Cola majors
US majors Pepsico and Coca-Cola joined hands to caution against “blind” adoption of European norms as these could have serious implications on the Indian economy, while asserting compliance with EU standards for their brand products sold in the country. “There are no standards for pesticides in soft drinks anywhere in the US or EU. EU norms only specify that the water used in soft drinks should be potable," said Rajeev Bakshi, chairman of Pepsico India Holdings. "We are meeting EU norms on source water in India with total pesticide levels well below the permissible limit."

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 16, 2003, Page 8

Investment spillover on its mind, Bengal bottles fuss
By Subrata Nagchoudhury
Ideology or investment? Cola or cadmium? Sludge or Saurav? The CPI(M) high command appears to be in a dilemma: How to handle the groundswell of anger against Pepsi and Coca-Cola without hurting investment prospects in the state. After the initial public posing over the discovery of toxic metals in sludge generated by bottling plants of the two colas, and the vows to cancel licences if pesticides are found in them, the party leadership is now softpedalling the issue. The biggest indicator of the leadership’s hesitation is the way Ganashakti, the CPI(M) language mouthpiece, has begun downplaying the issue over the past few days.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 16, 2003, Page 4

New Water Brands Spring A Surprise
Even as the government may be stepping up the ante on food regulations in the wake of the alleged cola contamination, are existing food rules being followed in their true spirit? Take the case of ‘carbonated’ water, for instance. It’s been more than a year since the import of ‘carbonated’ water brands into India had stopped following the health ministry’s directive on mandatory ISI certification that put sparkling and carbonated water on par with regular packaged/mineral water. However, of late, two new ‘carbonated’ mineral water brands have surfaced in the marketplace. Neither of them, incidentally, sport the mandatory ISI certification. While the Delhi-based Dharampal Satyapal Group foods division (DS Foods) launched its Catch Clear ‘sparkling drink’ about two months ago, Australian ‘carbonated flavoured mineral water’ brand Hartz has found its way into the market through the import route.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 16, 2003, Page 1

CUTS urges cola majors to recall unsafe products
Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) has asked the Cola-majors to withdraw their "unsafe goods" from the marketplace. The consumer organisation "would not hesitate" to move the apex consumer court to get these products withdrawn from the market, CUTS said in its communiqué. Citing the case of Perrier, bottled water from the Nestle stable, which had recalled its global stocks of 1.9 million bottles of drinking water since it contained some contaminants, CUTS stressed the need for the Cola-companies to recall their present stocks and "revamp their bottling plants with more stringent quality controls."

Business Line, New Delhi, August 16, 2003, Page 3

On Coke, CSE & Cutting Corners
By Malvika Singh
The forthcoming elections have triggered a change in mood in Delhi. Speculation is rife and judgmental opinions spouted with great authority make for endless arguments. There are those who are convinced that the Congress will lose Delhi and others who are wildly betting that it will sweep the polls. That is how polarised the positions are. It was rather amusing to see our parliamentarians leap up and ban Coke in Parliament. It gave them something to do, something that the newspapers would make into a lead story! However, they continue to drink the polluted and lethal water supplied by the municipality. If they want to shout and scream, that is what they should be yelling about, that is what they should ban! Coke has mishandled this entire episode to its detriment. It has indulged in combat, other clandestine, anti-CSE activities, allowed itself to be drenched in the media, all of which has hyped the issue out of proportion. CSE was doing its job.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 16, 2003, Page 6

EU norms: Indian food cos treading trip-wired path?
By P.T. Jyothi Datta & Richa Mishra
Is India sending out conflicting signals to global trade, when it seeks to adopt the European Union (EU) norms for its food products? The issue reeks of déjà vu - for, soft drink companies
are walking the same path, as did the bottled-water companies six months ago, when a similar controversy emerged. Only this time around, food corporates have given their arguments a `swadeshi' pitch and this has little to do with the Independence Day. Even as the Indian authorities brace themselves for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) meet next month in Cancun, Mexico -"India seems to be sending out conflicting signals. Ever since the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) unveiled its study on pesticides in soft drinks, food corporates have questioned how prudent it was for India to "blindly" adopt the EU norms.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 16, 2003, Page 4

Coke refutes pesticide reports
Coca-Cola refuted all allegations of pesticide contamination in its soft drinks levelled by the Centre for Science and Environment, saying that there were "serious deviations from standardised test methodology" and that it "reiterates product quality." In a fax sent to this newspaper, the soft drink major said the allegations were "unjustified" and "baseless" and that its position would be "vindicated." Coca-Cola said the CSE report "quotes extensively from an internal study conducted in their non-accredited laboratory."

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 15, 2003, Page 1

Trial by kangaroo courts
By Rajeev Bakshi
These have been very unfortunate and sad days for our civil society. Guilty even if innocent or until proved innocent is the new credo of the new breed of non-governmental organisations
(NGOs), media outlets and lumpen political elements. The opening scene: an NGO quoting extensively from an internal study conducted in a non-accredited laboratory, with unverified
data. The NGO leads in with a press release headlined ‘‘Colonisation of the Dirty Dozen’’ (referring to the dozen leading soft drink brands).
Having grabbed the headlines, then overnight tries to change its stance and to lift the issue to a loftier plane of pesticides in groundwater.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 15, 2003, Page 9

Drink on India, the law’s an ass
By Ratna Rajaiah
No, no, please don’t get me wrong. This is not a sanctimonious diatribe against the soft drink manufacturers. Or for that matter, the Government, to whom the blame now seems to be so subtly shifting — after all aren’t they the ones doing nothing about all those gallons of pesticide-pumped water swishing around in our rivers and streams and wells? And which the poor soft drink companies are forced to use? And don’t we all drink that water anyway and water our crops with it and bathe our babies in it? But more on that later. Let us cast our minds back to just a few months ago. Amid much brouhaha and outrage by the media, the MPs and the Health minister/Ministry, we were told that several major brands of bottled (distilled? mineral? spring? whatever) water carried stuff like lindane, DDT, malathion and chlorpyrifos.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 15, 2003, Page 9

Colas have hard fight to regain fizz
A MASSIVE dip in sales in the capital and all over the country, despite conforming to the relevant food laws - though, however, lax - is something that the cola majors perhaps had not
bargained for. Driven to the wall, even as Coca-Cola India and PepsiCo are fighting it out in the courts to "absolve" themselves of the charges levelled by CSE with regard to pesticide residues in their soft drinks, the two multinationals, it appears, have a much tougher fight at hand - that of wooing consumers back. And that involves clearing the consumers' "clouded"
perception, which is a different ball game altogether.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 15, 2003, Page 4

CFTRI's cola test results `anytime after Saturday'
The testing of cola samples for pesticide content is going on at a furious pace and the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) will be completing its mandate "as quickly as
possible," according to Dr V. Prakash, Director of the Mysore-based food technology research lab under the CSIR. Its results could be conveyed any time after Saturday as the CFTRI has been given 7-10 days from August 9 to complete its task . "We have a tough job. We will be giving all the data and tables directly to the Ministry of Health" soon, Dr Prakash told Business Line from Mysore.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 15, 2003, Page 5

Do without the Fizz
It is indeed surprising that people in India —especially in Assam — should be at a loss to decide on the proper course of action after an NGO found several times more than the maximum permissible levels of pesticide in about 12 brands of soft drinks including Coca Cola and Pepsi. And while many States decided to ban the sale of these soft drinks until tests were carried out, some, like Assam, first made it clear that there would be no ban on any soft drinks unless the Centre ordered such a ban, and thereafter issued half-hearted orders to food inspectors on August 7 to collect samples of the 12 soft drinks and send them to the laboratories for testing. But obviously the inspectors knew how seriously they had to take these orders, because of the Government’s earlier order — that it had no intention of banning the soft drinks...editorial

The Sentinel, Guwahati, August 14, 2003, Page No. 4

Pollution board checks Pepsi unit
Officials of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) led by its Chairman J. Alexander conducted a surprise inspection of Pepsi's Nelamangala bottling unit near Bangalore. The inspection which took place in the presence of the media, took note of the functioning of the effluent treatment plant, pollution control measures taken, pesticide residue in the cola and the plant premises. ``Though soft drinks come under the green category where there is no need to test samples for heavy metals, following the reports of the Centre for Science and Environment, samples collected at the Nelamangala plant were also tested for the presence of these components,'' he said.

The New Indian Express, Bangalore, August 14, 2003, Page 1supp

SC turns down Coke's plea
The controversy over pesticide-residue in soft-drinks looks far from abating, with the Supreme Court on Wednesday refusing to entertain the petition of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCBPL) saying that there were no grounds for the Court to hear the issue. Subsequently, HCCBPL withdrew its petition seeking testing of its product by experts. Before dismissing the petition as withdrawn, the Bench refused to be drawn into repeated plea of the petitioner's counsel, Mr Kapil Sibal, to convert the petition into a public interest litigation (PIL) to protect the rights of the consumer, according to agency reports.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 14, 2003, Page No. 3

Subsidised Homicide
There is a common policy thread running between the now raging controversy about pesticide residues in bottled soft drinks and the now forgotten controversies about pesticide residues in bottled drinking water and packaged milk. This pertains to the overuse of pesticides and fertilisers in India. While members of Parliament and many others have been exercised about the culpability of multinational cola manufacturers with respect to the adherence to norms pertaining to impurities in what they sell, there is a larger policy issue that deserves policy attention, especially of the elected representatives of the people. This is the problem of fertiliser and pesticide overuse in India...editorial

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 14, 2003, Page No. 6

Coke gets breather in Kerala
Kerala, the first to raise alarm about Coke over its Plachimada plant issue, has not shied from giving the Coke its thumbs up in troubled times. State government's Food Analyst Labortary has found Coke samples free of heavy metal contamination. However, its too early to predict champagne time for Coke and Pepsi. Tests for the presence of Lindane and DDT in Pepsi and Coke drinks, alleged by New Delhi-based NGO, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), will be complete in two days, chief government analyst (Kerala) Johny John told êiFEêr. There was neither cadmium nor lead contamination in the drinks, as earlier feared. "A battery of five scientists have been put to work on Coke and Pepsi samples to look at the lindane, DDT, malathion and chlorpyrifos in the colas.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 14, 2003, Page No. 1

Top court refuses to intervene in Coke case
Coca-Cola on Wednesday withdrew its petition from the Supreme court challenging the Centre for Science and Environment’s pesticide report after the top court refused to intervene in the issue. Coca-Cola had sought the court’s intervention against several municipalities and institutions that were imposing restrictions on the sale of soft drinks. Refusing to be drawn into the controversy, a bench comprising Justice S. Rajendra Babu, Justice Lakshmanan and Justice G.P. Mathur asked the petitioner, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd, which of its rights were affected. The bench also wondered why some soft-drink manufacturers moved the Delhi high court while others came directly to the Supreme Court.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 14, 2003, Page No. 1

SC turns down Coke plea on tests
The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain the plea of soft drink major Coca-Cola, which said its products should be tested by an accredited laboratory to find out the veracity of a report alleging presence of pesticides in them. The Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited withdrew its petition. A bench comprising Justice S. Rajendra Babu, Justice A.R. Lakshmanan and Justice G.P. Mathur wondered how the petitioner could approach the SC under Article 32 of the Constitution, which allows individuals to move the apex court for enforcement of their fundamental rights. When the bench declined to entertain the plea, senior counsel Kapil Sibal, representing the cola major, urged it to convert the plea into a PIL to protect consumers' rights.

The Hindstan Times, New Delhi, August 14, 2003, Page No. 7

Defence may have diluted Pepsi offence
By Kavita Chowdhury
Pepsico it seems swung into action, prompted not just by the CSE report but also by the letter it received from the Defence Ministry’s Canteen and Stores Department (CSD) on August 6. The CSD’s letter asks the soft drink company to explain ‘‘as to why serious issues such as presence of ‘a deadly pesticide cocktail’ and its related hazards were not intimated to the department”. The CSD states that it has stopped placing orders. The CSD had also given Pespi time till August 29 to reply in this matter. In the event of their not receiving the response, CSD stated: ‘‘The likelihood of deletion of the product cannot be ruled out.’’

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 14, 2003, Page No. 4

Coke gets a thumbs-up down south
Health Minister P. Sankaran informed the Assembly that preliminary test reports on samples from the Coke plant in Palakkad district say that the soft drink did not contain cadmium and the presence of lead in it was lower than the permissible level. Replying to a submission by P.S Supal (CPI), Sankaran said the tests were conducted at labs in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram, while samples were also sent to Central Food Technology and Research Institute in Mysore. The Bangalore City Corporation also ruled that colas are ‘‘safe’’. ‘‘The test on samples of soft drinks sold in the city has proved the beverages are not harmful,’’ Chief Health Officer Sushila Shekhar said.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 14, 2003, Page No. 4

SC won’t intervene, Coke seeks protocol
The Supreme Court declined Coca-Cola’s request to intervene in the pesticide-soft drink controversy as the Delhi High Court has already seized the matter. A bench, headed by Justice S. Rajendra Babu, also rebuffed Coca-Cola’s plea to convert its petition into a public interest litigation to protect the consumers’ rights against the attempts made by various states to ban the soft drinks’ supply on the basis of an NGO’s allegations. The main plea of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages was that the SC should order testing of all soft drinks to verify the alleged finding of the Centre for Science and Environment that they had high pesticide content.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 14, 2003, Page No. 4

Poison we take
By disclosing the alleged pesticide content in Pepsi and Cola, a centuryold international famous brand name and in eleven other soft drinks, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has litterally exploded a bomb that has shaken India more than any thing since the nuclear experiments and Pokhran and probably, more than that too...editorial

The Kashmir Times, Jammu, August 13, 2003, Page No. 6

Are Colas safe?
The Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (PML) of the Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi released a report saying that 12 brands of cold drinks contain pesticides. These same products are available in the markets of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Observer, Dhaka, August 12, 2003, Page No. 1

Indian court orders test of Coke, Pepsi
A federal court ordered the Indian government to check if soft drinks being sold in India by Pepsi and Coca-Cola contain toxic pesticides, as Maoist guerrillas joined a nationwide protest against the two US – based fizz firms. The ruling came on an appeal by Pepsi’s Indian branch seeking an ‘independent evaluation’ of damaging pesticides in cola allegations levelled last week by India’s Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) non-governmental organisation.

The Kathmandu Post, Kathmandu, August 12, 2003, Page No. 10

It’s thanda matlab nimbu pani at Kolkata restaurants
Tipsy and joke go up in smoke; East and West, Nimbu Pani is the best. Thus scream a couple of huge posters at Kolkata’s upmarket Park Street. Interestingly, the call is not given by the swadeshi bandwagon. The banners are the product of an unlikely creed instead the chic disco bound demin clad guzzlers.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 12, 2003, Page No. 8

Can Colas blame it on the water?
The fizz and fury over application of Western standards to testing of water and soft drinks in the country may be taking its time to die down, but experts are already veering around to the view that major cola corporations cannot shirk the responsibility of ensuring safety and purity in their products.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 12, 2003, Page No. 1

Heat on cold drinks
The flowed like the proverbial ‘water of India’. But suddenly their run has dried. ‘The Coca Cola company exists to benefit and refresh everyone it touches,” says the home page of the world’s largest soft drink company’s website. Coke has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons; the latest being the 5 August report of the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. A CSE test found 12 soft drink brands of Coke and its global rival Pepsi contained pesticides and insecticides in excess of the European Economic
Commission’s limit.

The Statesman, New Delhi, August 12, 2003, Page No. 9

Pesticides and Hazardous products
Government told to test cola brands
The Delhi High Court directed the government to submit an independent report in three weeks on whether leading soft drink brands contained pesticides. The court, however, turned down Pepsi's plea to prevent the Centre for Science and Environment from publishing the report that said the top 12 soft drink brands of Pepsi and Coca Cola contained pesticides in much higher proportions than permitted.

Business Standard, New Delhi, August 12, 2003, Page No. 3

CSE stands by pesticide report
Undeterred by claims of cola giants that the report prepared by its lab on the presence of pesticides in soft drinks is “baseless,” the Centre for Science and Environment is working at legal options as a counter to major cola companies.

The Times of India, New Delhi, August 11, 2003, sp-1

HC to hear Pepsi plea today
Soft drink Pepsi's petition seeking to restrain the publication of the "pesticide report" on colas by the Centre for Science and Environment is likely to come up for hearing before the Delhi High Court on Aug 11.

The Times of India, New Delhi, August 11, 2003, Page No. 1

Centre awaiting cola test results
In the wake of recent findings that the samples of soft drinks manufactured by Pepsico India Holdings and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages contained pesticide residues, the four regional offices of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata have collected samples of the soft drinks manufactured by these companies in their regions and sent them to the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, N.T. Shanmugam, union Ministre of State for Food Processing Industries, has said.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 11, 2003, Page No. 12

Ban on soft drinks sought
The Shiv Sena urged Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to impose a ban on the sale of soft drinks in the wake of findings by an NGO that these contain pesticides and insecticides. The Delhi unit of the party staged a demonstration in front of its party office at Sahadara and burnt the products in protest.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 11, 2003, Page No. 3

Heavy metals detected in Coke plant sludge
Even as heavy metals have been detected in the sludge samples of Baddi-based Coca Cola bottling plant, nothing conclusive has been ascertained by the Himachal Pradesh state pollution control board about the quality of the soft drink. Board officials clarified that they were routine tests and not conducted after reports of the Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 11, 2003, Page No. 4

State orders tests of cold drinks
Spurred into action by the detection of poisonous chemicals in the cold drinks manufactured by multinationals Coca Cola and Pepsico and the vehement public outcry following it, the State Government has also ordered a test of samples of the cold drinks of the two brands. “We have called for a test and samples of the brands in question have been sent to the public analyst to determine whether or not they contain chemicals within the permissible limits,” Commissioner and Secretary, Health, Biren Dutta told The Assam Tribune. The laboratory tests should be out in a few days and the department will initiate action based on those, he said, ruling out a ban on the drinks at the moment. “We are monitoring the developments closely and also awaiting instructions from the Centre, if a ban has to be clamped,” he added. The detection of high levels of pesticides and other harmful chemicals in samples of all the brands of cold drinks made by Coca Cola and Pepsico a few days back, as revealed by the tests carried out by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), triggered a huge public outcry and the issue figured prominently in Parliament also, with all the MPs calling for a ban on the products.

The Assam Tribune, Guwahati, August 10, 2003, Page No. 1

Pepsi, Coke stand to lose licences if found guilty
The licences of soft drink manufacturers could be cancelled if the second samples sent to the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, are found to contain pesticide residue. The results of the second samples, taken from 15 branded soft drinks will be released next week.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, August 10, 2003, Page No. 1

Cricket sponsorship in jeopardy
The pesticide-insecticide broglio could take the fizz out of Pepsi's other interests too. The cola major that was all set to become the official sponsor of the upcoming India-Newzealand cricket series may now lose the opportunity. Sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Doordarshan said that if the two companies were implicated for any wrong doing, they might wash their hands off Pepsi. "Pepsi will be ousted if the government finds CSE's allegations to be true," an official spokesperson said.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, August 10, 2003, Page No. 1

Delhi takes a hard look at soft drinks
Less than a week after the Centre for Science and Environment made public its report on the presence of high amounts of pesticide and other contaminantes in soft drinks, 76 per cent of Delhiites feel that the Government should ban sale of soft drinks in the marketplace as has been done on the Parliament House premises.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 10, 2003, Page No. 3

Toxic soft drinks: INLD asks Centre to speed up probe
The Indian National Lok Dal has urged the Union Government to speed up investigation into the reports that pesticides and insecticides were found in soft drinks of popular brands. Mr Chautala said prima facie, the allegations of the CSE seems to be serious. "Nobody can take Indian masses for granted and international standards should be strictly adhered to by all companies," he further said.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 10, 2003, Page-sp3

Coke, Pepsi fizz with pesticides, says study
In findings hotly contested by global giants Coke and Pepsi, the Centre for Science and Environment picked up three bottles each of 12 soft drink brands from Delhi and found they contained a ‘deadly pesticide cocktail’ which exceeded European norms by around 11 to 70 times. But these do not breach Indian laws which, said CSE.

Kuensel, Bhutan, August 09, 2003, Page No. 15

Mixed reaction to report on soft drinks
The Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) report that most of the softdrink brands of Cola giants, Pepsi and Coke, contain more than permissible levels of pesticides has created a storm in the bottle. With debates raging across the country, what do Bangaloreans think about it? For it? against it? Confused? There are difference of opinions. Whether Bangloreans still ‘enjoy’ or is it that their ‘dil maange no more’, is what Deccan Herald asked a few people on the street, in stores and in cinema halls. Though some are convinced by the pesticide ingredient in the sodas, and have decided to give up the drink, it has hardly affected the generation next. The ‘liquid candy’ still remains a favourite among most youngsters. “I don’t get the taste of pesticide in my Pepsi,” said Mamta Reddy, a student studying fashion designing. Her friend Princy Vargis added that, “Once in a while it’s ok.” Similar was the reaction from Gagan Achar, an engineering student at the BMS College. He said, “I don’t think it’s that big a deal.” Some people even seemed skeptical about the authenticity of the test conducted by the CSE.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, August 08, 2003, Page No. 3

Anna varsity shuts its door on Coke, Pepsi
A day after supply of soft drinks was stopped at the Parliament, Anna University Vice Chancellor E Balagurusamy set the trend in Tamil Nadu by banning sale of soft drinks manufactured by Pepsi and Coca Cola on the main campus as well as MIT premises.

The New Indian Express, Chennai, August 08, 2003, Page-sp1

Cola companies seek to instil confidence
The day saw both the soft drink companies putting out `reassurance' campaigns in newspapers, stating that they conformed to the same standards of quality as in the US and Europe. Further, they pointed out that their products had been verified by the Netherlands-based TNO Nutrition and Food Research Labs. A PepsiCo official said that the company's products were tested for traces of not just four but 45 pesticides in order to comply with stringent norms, and that the company complies with the EU norms that are yet to be implemented even in Europe. The Coke ad had stated that "There is no contamination or toxicity whatsoever in our brand of beverages. The results are completely open for any governmental agency to inspect."

Business Line, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 5

Too soft on drinks
Sudhirendar Sharma
THE charge that a set of soft-drinks contains a cocktail of pesticide residues may put the MNC giants in the dock, but it also exposes the inherent weakness of a system to ensure quality of products, especially those mass-consumed. For, ironically, water has not been
given the `food' status, and hence escapes various laws and supply regulations. Had it been otherwise, the agencies responsible for supplying drinking water would have been forced to comply with purity and quality standards. And many a local body would have been
found wanting, perhaps even attracting legal action. Ironically, the Centre for Science and Environment's report indicates that the same companies comply with the highest quality standards in the US. No wonder, soft drinks made by the cola giants in the US are
uncontaminated whereas in India these contain 37-42 times more pesticides than the EC limits.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 9

CSE questions cola majors' sample data
Even as the Cola-bashing political bandwagon went from the Centre to States, the issue of pesticide-residue in soft drinks took yet another turn, late Thursday evening, with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) striking back on the data put out by PepsiCo and Coca Cola India, in the companies' effort to build confidence among consumers. "CSE did not respond to the name-calling by the soft drink companies, because we wanted to see the data that they had in their defence," Ms Sunita Narain, Director CSE told Business Line.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 5

Fast-food chains say their fizz is safe
Ratna Bhushan
If consumers are having a rethink before washing down their McBurger or Tandoori Pizza with a Coke or Pepsi, fast-food chains are ensuring otherwise. For, even as American soft drinks majors have been caught on the back foot as far as the Centre for Science and Environment's pesticide report goes, American fast-food restaurant chains are playing it safe. Take American quick service chain McDonald's India, which has an exclusive long-standing tie-up with Coca-Cola India to serve the latter's soft drinks at all its outlets. McDonald's has, on its own initiative, begun a reassurance campaign to tell its customers that the cold beverages served at McDonald's are prepared by "state-of-the-art" equipment and technology.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 1

‘Review CSE report'
After banning popular soft drinks from being served in Parliament, it is the time to hear the nay-sayers. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury has written to Union Health Minister Sushma Swaraj to cross ckeck NGO findings before rushing in to upgrade standards for aerated drinks. "The Central Food Technology Research Institute (Mysore) tested 275 samples of bottled water collected by them and none had pesticides. They also checked bore well water more than 100 ft deep used by the bottled water companies and found no pesticides. Vimta Labs and SGS lab Madras, an affiliate of the Swiss firm, have tested bore well water and found no pesticide," Ms Chowdhury asserted.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 5

The fizz is gone
The lawmakers have been quick to ensure their own safety from the purported toxic substances in almost all soft drinks. The sense of urgency and outrage needs to be replicated nationwide if the people at large are to be similarly safeguarded. In the context, it will be just as well if the contending colas, who for a change have shown rare unity on this particular issue, are to take the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) to court. That could be one way to actually corroborate the NGO’s findings. If the reports are true, the soft drinks are slow poison, no less. High dosage of toxic wastes can cause even cancer — stomach disorders of various kinds are almost certain, anyway…editorial

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 12

Kolkata civic body tests drinks, may cancel licences
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation on Thursday threatened to cancel the trade licence of the local bottling plant of soft drinks major Coca-Cola if laboratory tests of samples collected tested positive for pesticides. "If pesticide is found in the samples of Coke, we will not hesitate to cancel the trade license of the bottling plant in the industrial hub of Taratola," mayor-in-council member (health) Pradip Ghosh said. Speaking to journalists before visiting the plant, he said the Taratola factory was under the scanner and the KMC would do
everything possible to prevent sale of soft drinks in the metropolis.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 3

Coke, Pepsi prohibited at campus in Chennai
Even as Pepsi and Coca-Cola put up a high-pitch defence claiming their soft drinks are of world-class quality, Anna University here on Thursday banned from its campuses all soft drinks manufactured by the two MNCs "with immediate effect." Consequent on the Parliament announcement banishing Pepsi and Coca-Cola from its precincts, vice-chancellor Prof E. Balaguruswamy took the decision to bar access to the two soft drink brands from the university campuses "considering the welfare of students and employees of the institution," said a university statement.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 3

Demand grows for ban on soft drink firms
Several state governments said on Thursday they would conduct random tests on soft drinks sold by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo after an environment group said the beverages contained pesticides. Alarmed by the findings, people took to streets in several states as various
institutions banned soft drinks on their premises.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 9

The fizz that can kill you
Brain damage, liver problems, congenital birth defects, breast cancer, low sperm count... the list is longer than the brands of soft drinks available in the market. The link between pesticide and disease is an established one. And the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report has drawn attention to the need for conducting detailed, large sample-size studies to come to empirical conclusions. "Pesticide-related diseases happen only after chronic exposure in the long run. Pesticides are difficult to throw out from the body as most are soluble in fat," says additional professor of pharmacology at AIIMS, Dr S.K. Maulik.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 3

Many schools slam canteen doors on aerated drinks
Sridhar Kumaraswami
Several top schools — including DPS, R.K. Puram, DPS Mathura Road, Naval Public, Army Public and St. Thomas’, Mandir Marg — have decided to throw soft drinks out of their canteens. The action comes two days after tests by the Centre for Science and
Environment (CSE) found pesticide residues in 12 major brands of these drinks. “We’re stopping the sale of soft drinks in our canteen from Friday,” DPS, Mathura Road, principal M.I. Hussain said. “Flavoured milk and Rooh Afza will be available instead.”

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 3

The republic of fizz
In the dusty and endearingly chaotic plains of the north lies a little oasis. Well-built young men patrol its perimeter, barricading its precincts against terrorist and trespasser. Its inhabitants maintain an equally unwavering vigil against discomfort and disease. In
Parliament no threats are brooked. In this abiding pursuit, Lok Sabha members have been quick to respond to a study highlighting traces of toxic pesticides in aerated drinks sold by multinationals like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Brimful of concern about the implications for cola-guzzling citizens, our elected representatives sought an impromptu discussion and urgent measures. After waxing indignant on MNCs’ duplicitous standards in globalised times and on the need for stringent standards for water used in fizzy drinks, they produced an instant solution. They banned these beverages from Parliament House...editorial

The Indian Express, New Delhi, august 08, 2003, Page No. 8

Govt steps in to test Coke, Pepsi; results next week
Sanchita Sharma
While the cola majors and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) are at each other’s throats, the jury is still out. However, the answers are expected next week. The Health Ministry has sent samples of leading cola brands to the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, and the Central Food Laboratory, Kolkata, for independent tests. Results are expected next week. “Our tests will be done in independent labs and we'll take action only after examining the results,” says Health Minister Sushma Swaraj. "The CSE is not transparent enough and no one knows how good their labs or testing facilities are, so we need an independent review," says an official. Meanwhile, Swaraj met CSE director Sunita Narain, who handed her a copy of the CSE report. She also met representatives of Coke and Pepsi, but her office denied such a meeting took place.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 1

Toxicola debate: US Embassy cold to Pepsi & Coke
Sonu Jain
Yesterday's Parliament ban on their products may have more symbolic than substantive value but as a slew of states began sending samples for testing, a worried Coca-Cola and Pepsico started damage control. This included approaching the US Embassy for help and issuing ads claiming there’s nothing wrong with their beverages. The US Embassy confirmed to The Indian Express that the companies had contacted it requesting intervention from its Commerce desk. ‘‘We have decided not to intervene in the matter,’’ said David Kennedy, Press Officer for the embassy. The ads have only ended up muddying the water. Both companies listed test results as per websites—the addresses were displayed in the ads—asking people to visit these sites and decide for themselves.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 08, 2003, Page No. 1

Pesticides and Hazardous Products
Soft drinks thrown out of House
Parliament has given the thumbs down to soft drinks. According to the chairman of the Committee on Food Management, E. Ahmed, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and 10 other soft-drink brands won’t be served to members from now on. Ahmed was participating in an impromptu debate in the Lok Sabha on the detection of high levels of pesticides and insecticides in these drinks by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). As the House was debating the matter, Ahmed (Muslim League) said he had ordered the ban in his capacity as the chairman of the committee.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Cola toxins: Full flow in India, tight leash abroad
By Sonu Jain
One reason could be that the use of four carcinogenic pesticides singled out by the CSE is severely ‘‘restricted,’’ one, DDT, is banned altogether. In sharp contrast, in the absence of effective regulation, the production of Lindane, DDT, Malathion, Chlorpyrifos is continuing uninterrupted in India—in two cases even showing an upward swing. According to the government’s Central Insecticide Board, production of Malathion (used to prevent malaria) has gone up from 870 tonnes in 1995 to 1,200 tonnes now. Chlorpyrifos (against termites): from 1,400 tonnes to 4,500 tonnes over the same period.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Opp demands ban, Sushma waits for test
Amid vociferous demands to ban soft drinks like Coke and Pepsi, Health Minister Sushma Swaraj said samples have been collected to ascertain the kind of impurities they have. ‘‘I have called officials and asked for facts. Samples have been collected and examined. And when we have all the facts, we shall get back to the House,’’ she said. On the demand for the ban, made by almost every party in the House, she said that the Government will go by the ‘‘collective wisdom of Parliament.’’ Raising the issue during zero hour in Lok Sabha today, Samwajwadi Party MP Ramjilal Suman said: ‘‘The same companies are selling these drinks in Europe and US without any pesticides or insecticides in them. Then why are there such impurities in India? Who gave them permission?’’

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 3

Mumbai, Kochi send samples for testing
Taking cognizance of reported presence of high level of pesticides and insecticides in major soft drink brands, the Maharashtra government said samples of cold drinks in the state would be sent to laboratories for examination. In Kochi, Health officials collected samples of soft drinks from dealers and sent them to the Regional Analytical Lab at Kakkanad for testing.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 07, 03, Page No. 3

Dire message in a bottle
Six months ago, the cap was twisted off the bottled water industry when a study found high amounts of pesticide in ‘mineral’ water. This week, another beverage scare has been poured on the nation and the muck is reportedly in 12 brands of carbonated drinks. Among those whose products have been found ‘tainted’ by the tests conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) are the two biggest players of India’s $ 1.2 billion aerated beverage segment, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Both have strenuously denied the ‘charges’, adding that their products conform to the “best international standards”…editorial

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 07, 03, Page No. 10

Cold drinks, hard facts
Who could have guessed after their annual summer slugfest for the thirsty Indian market, that PepsiCo and Coca-Cola would actually deign to join hands and appear on a common platform? This miracle was wrought by the common and compelling need to defend products and bottomlines from the damage caused by the latest report from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) pointing to unacceptably high levels of toxic pesticide residues in their soft drinks. Both companies have predictably claimed that the report is not reliable and that they are considering the option of suing CSE. Perhaps they should do just that. Court cases are excellent devices to unearth the truth…editorial

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 8

Parliament not to serve Coke, Pepsi; some MPs call for ban
Lok Sabha members, cutting across party lines, on Wednesday demanded stern action against multinational companies manufacturing soft drinks in the country after reports on the presence of a high level of pesticides and insecticides in Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola and 10 other major brands which could lead to dreaded diseases like cancer. The chairman of the parliamentary committee on food management, Mr E. Ahmed, directed on Wednesday that the supply of all these soft drinks to the canteen and other outlets in Parliament House be stopped forthwith. Samajwadi Party member Raj Babbar demanded that the government take action against these MNCs under Sections 302 and 307 of the IPC. He also drew the attention of the House to the ability of these companies "to influence the political class."

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Parliament fizzes, fumes over Pepsi, Coke report
More than a dozen soft drinks, including Coca-Cola and Pepsi, would no longer be served in the premises of Parliament. Reacting to an impromptu debate in Lok Sabha during Zero Hour on the reported findings of high level of pesticides and insecticides in these drinks by Delhi-based NGO, Centre for Science and Environment, chairman of the Committee on Food Management E Ahmed announced that the soft drinks would not be served any more in Parliament. As the House was debating the matter on Wednesday, Mr Ahmed (Indian Union Muslim League) said as the chairman of the committee he had ordered stoppage of supply of these drinks to Parliament.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Mumbai demands ban on soft-drinks
The country's commercial capital began witnessing a vociferous clamour for a ban on the sale of major soft-drink brands, said to be containing pesticides. Some consumer-friendly hotels in south Mumbai began withdrawing the well-known brands in the evening and the Bharatiya Yuva Morcha activists resorted to an agitation in front of the Churgate railway station. As the night-revelers hit various bars in south Mumbai, the owners of many a hotel decided not to serve popular brands of soft-drinks in the light of the controversy unleashed by a survey done by the Centre for Science and Environment, a New Delhi-based NGO. A group of Bharatiya Yuva Morcha activists, who demonstrated in front of the Churchgate station in south Mumbai on Wedneday afternoon, threw bottles of Pepsi and Coke on the road and burnt the effigy of a card-board-made Coke bottle replica.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 4

Soft and impure
Barely had the controversy surrounding impure packaged drinking water subsided than independent tests carried out by the non-governmental organisation, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), have established that aerated soft drinks manufactured by
leading multinational corporations contain toxic pesticide residue several times higher than the internationally accepted levels. The MNCs have predictably trashed the CSE's claims, saying these are wild and baseless allegations, and that their standards for checking the purity level of their products are up to the global level. In one sense, ever since the CSE said in February this year that packaged drinking water contained high levels of pesticides and other chemicals, such a controversy was waiting to erupt...editorial

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 6

Govt gets busy over Cola issue
P.T. Jyothi Datta
For the cola majors, the cup of woe was brimming over on Wednesday with emotions running high in Parliament. From calling for a ban on the sale of colas to highlighting the need for regulating the quality of the groundwater that goes into becoming a soft drink, communication went back and forth between the three different Ministries governing the soft drink industry. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) officials told Business Line that they would be convening a meeting on August 18 where norms are likely to be passed for ground water that would be the input material for soft drinks. "This is a follow-up of the discussion in which the packaged water issue had come up. We had already scheduled a meeting for fixing norms for the ground water that would be the raw material for soft drinks."

Business Line, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Inapt symbols of a generation
Anuradha Dutt
Some months ago, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had exposed companies that sell bottled water for defaulting on their promise of delivering uncontaminated water to customers. Laboratory tests conducted on the commodity showed that all the main brands contained health-threatening pesticides. Manufacturers included the top names in the aerated water business. The resultant uproar across the country sent over-paid corporate bosses scampering for a reprieve as the threat of revoked licenses gave them sleepless nights. Now comes another revelation, that can put soft drinks companies out of business. Again, it is the Delhi-based NGO CSE which has donned the role of public prosecutor. And the two MNCs in the dock, Pepsico and Coke, were earlier among the firms charged with failing health standards for bottled water sold by them. Between April and August, 12 soft drinks brands, marketed by the duo, were tested in CSE's Pollution Monitoring Laboratory. They were found to contain a poisonous brew of pesticides and insecticides. Dr HB Mathur, one of the team that conducted the tests, says that the carcinogenic content is lethal enough to cause cancers and reduce bone mineral density.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 7

Will celebs shy away from endorsing colas?
Ratna Bhushan, Nithya Subramanian
What's Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai - role models for the entire country - got to do with the pesticide controversy that's shaken up soft drinks majors Coca-Cola and Pepsi Foods? Lots. So feels the advertising fraternity, which has mixed opinions on whether celebrities will stay on the storyboards. As Mr Praveen Kumar, who heads media tracking outfit Current Opinion & Future Trends (COFT), explained, "Stars will put their commercial interest ahead of the controversy. After all, the entire advertising industry revolves around imagery and celebrities obviously play a big role in this." According to Mr Nikhil Nehru, Chairman, INCommunications, (and former President, McCann-Erickson), "If Coke and Pepsi fail to strongly refute the claims made by the CSE report, there will definitely be reaction from celebrities. For now, celebrity endorsers will certainly lie low."

Business Line, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

After pesticides, it's heavy metal
Just after the Centre For Science and Environment (CSE) unearthed pesticides contamination in popular cold drink brands available in the Capital, international environmental campaigner Greenpeace demanded closure of the Coca-Cola plant at Plachimada in Palakkad district in Thiruvananthapuram, claiming that the sludge from the plant was found to have contained hazardous heavy metal contents and for violation of ground water and land utilisation rules by the unit. "The authorities should give 15 days notice to get the plant closed with the tests conducted by the Exeter University in UK showing that the waste material from the unit contained hazardous chemicals like cadmium lead and chromium," Greenpeace's corporate campaign co-ordinator for India, Ameer Shahul, told a press meet.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page 2supp

Pesticides and Hazardous Products
Standards vary from state to state
Implementation of the norms for softdrinks in the country is controlled by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, which is a subject of the health ministry. The PFA is responsible for the potable water used in softdrinks and the standards vary from state to state. In the case of fruit-based softdrinks, it is the Fruit Products Order, which comes under the food processing ministry. As the government is seeking endorsement of the CSE report, experts have cautioned almost in one voice, presence of pesticides at such high levels can have very serious consequences to health if you are regular consumer of such drinks.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 2

CSE report not to hit sales: Dealers
The day after CSE raised a stink over pesticides residues in Coke and Pepsi, local distribution and retailers sought to downplay the impact saying the issue had marginal impact on soft drink sales. But their optimism isn’t shared by the industry. Market observers say the impact will be felt much more in West Bengal and Maharashtra where the consumer forums are strong.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 21

Wrong focus
The claim by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) that soft drinks like Coke and Pepsi contain pesticide levels way above the European norms has kicked up quite a fuss. With the two soft drinks MNCs vehemently denying the claims, the controversy has tended to be focused on whether or not pesticide levels in the bottled drinks are what the CSE says they are. It would be unfortunate if the issue stays focused on this alone. While it would undoubtedly be disturbing if soft drinks made in India did not match those produced in the EU or US in quality standards, it should hardly surprise us…….Editorial

The Economic Times, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 4

The day after: Lawmakers say no to Coke, Pepsi in House
Banning sale of Coke and Pepsi within the precincts of Parliament House has been about the only operative official response so far to the Centre for Science and Environment’s sensational claim that popular soft drinks, including Coke and Pepsi, contain unacceptable levels of extremely harmful pesticides. Slow reflexes of the official ministry and muddled laws impeded immediate action.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Forget the fizz, blame it on water
High levels of toxins in soft drinks may well be caused by water, the major component. But there is still no plan to set an enforceable standard for it. Health ministry officials said ensuring potability of drinking water was the responsibility of municipalities and panchayats because “health is a state subject” and there was no need for the ministry to set any uniform standard. For soft drinks, rules require potable water to be used. Health minister Mrs Sushma Swaraj today told the Lok Sabha that the government would not ban the sale of soft drinks till it got its own comprehensive report confirming the CSE findings.

The Statesman, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

No regular lab tests
On the same day, the CSE released its reports on the residues of pesticides found in 12 brands of Pepsico and Coca-Cola, samples of the soft drinks were flown from Delhi to Hyderabad’s Vimta lab for a quick check apparently for the first time for Coca-Cola. And not too frequent a practice in case of Pepsico.

The Statesman, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

No drinks on the House
MPs will no longer be served Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola and 10 other soft drinks. The brands have been banned in Parliament. This was announced by Mr E Ahmed, Committee on Food Management chairman, while participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on the reported findings of high-level of pesticides and insecticides in these drinks by a Delhi-based NGO.

The Statesman, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Little dent in sales, fizz votaries largely unfazed
From shock to surprise to simply “no reaction”. These were the mixed response that the Centre for Science and Environment report received from Delhiites. The report, which was released, mentioned the presence of toxins in many popular brands of soft drinks.

The Statesman, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 3

Business as usual for bottled water firms
Six months after the Centre for Science and Environment came out with a report on pesticides in packaged drinking water, the industry has not felt the need to invest in upgraded processes. Contesting the CSE findings, packaged water producers like Bisleri, Coca-Cola and Pepsi said their facilities met World Health Organisation as well as Codex norms and there was no need to upgrade. Bisleri claims a 50 per cent growth in sales.

Busines Standard, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Colas under fire
As sales of aerated drinks remained unaffected a day after the Centre for Science and Environment found pesticides in leading Coca-cola and Pepsi brands, the Union government commissioned a report on the findings and Maharashtra ordered a probe.

Business Standard, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Poison in your drink
Several issues are raised by the Centre for Science and Environment’s tests on carbonated drinks, sold by leading companies like Coca-cola and Pepsico, have pesticide levels over 30 times those allowed by the European Union. The most obvious question is whether CSE’s startling allegations are correct…….Editorial

Business Standard, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 7

Soft drinks or slow poison?
The scare caused by the sensational assertion of the Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment, that 12 mjor soft drink brands sold in the Capital have dangerously high levels of toxic substances is understandable. If the report is true, the soft drinks are nothing less than slow poison......Editorial.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 10

Coca Cola, Pepsi banned in Parliament
Reacting to the alarming findings of the Centre for Science and Environment on the presence of pesticides and insecticides in Coca Cola, Pepsi and other popular brands of aerated drinks, Lok Sabha members demanded an immediate ban on these. Mr E. Ahmed, Chairman of the House Food Committee told the House that he had directed the Parliament canteen to enforce the ban on Coca Cola, Pepsi and other aerated drinks.

The Tribune, New Delhi, august 07, 2003, Page No. 1

No more soft drinks in Parliament
Parliament was today quick to banish from its premises the soft drinks manufactured by Pepsi and Coca-Cola following allegations by a non-governmental organisation on Tuesday that they contained toxic pesticides. This was announced by the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Food Management, E. Ahamed, in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the issue.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Shocked Delhiites stay away from soft drinks
A day after the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released its report on high levels of pesticides and other contaminants in soft drinks, most Delhiites expressed shock and annoyance and accused the Government of not having stricter "food" norms. "For a person drinking at least one bottle of cold drink a day, the report came as a rude shock. I haven't picked up a bottle today and most definitely will not consume soft drinks in future. The reports of pesticides and other pollutants have made soft drinks a strict no-no and we will now stick to juices and plain drinking water," said a first year medical student of Maulana Azad Medical College, Abhishek Bansal.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 07, 2003, Page No. 3

After bottled water, pesticides test lists drinks dirty dozen
A study of 12 brands of soft drinks marketed by Coca Cola and Pepsi has alleged that all of them contain pesticides at least 30 times higher than international standards. The Centre for Science and Environment that had come out with a similar study of bottled water said : “Each sample had enough poison to cause in the long term cancer, damage to the nervous and reproductive systems, birth defects and severe disruption of the immune system.”

The Telegraph, Calcutta, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

A deadly cocktail of pesticide residue
Barely six months after finding toxic substances in bottled water, the Centre for Science and Environment claimed that 12 brands of soft drinks manufactured by MNC giants Pepsico and Coke contain “a deadly cocktail of pesticide residues” capable of causing cancer, birth defects and reducing bone density.

Newstime, Hyderabad, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

‘After water, it’s your daily fizz! Pepsi, Coke contain pesticides’
Close on the heels of a major health scare on finding pesticides in bottled drinking water, an NGO claimed that the bottled soft drinks owned by two MNC’s Pepsico and Coke also failed the same health standards testing positive for pesticides. “12 major cold drink brands sold in Delhi and around contain a deadly cocktail of pesticide residues,” Centre for Science and Environment said.

The Free Press Journal, Mumbai, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

It can tarnish our reputation: Coke
The CSE exposure sent the cola companies into a tizzy. At press conference, a visibility agitated Coke president Sanjiv Gupta said : “The allegation is serious and it has the potential to tarnish the image of our brands in the country. If this continues, we will consider legal recourse.” The cola companies said the pesticide residues in their products were well within limits set by the EU and WHO but were, however, willing to get their products tested by an independent internationally accredited laboratory.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 21

Many Coke, Pepsi brands test positive for pesticides
The Centre for Science and Environment raised a huge scare about a dozen popular soft drinks, including Coca-cola and Pepsi. At a press conference in New Delhi, the CSE claimed that tests have shown these soft drinks to contain traces of four extremely toxic pesticides and insecticides lindane, DDT, malathion and chlorpyrifos.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

Residues of toxic pesticides in 12 soft drink brands: CSE
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) today announced that 12 soft drink brands collected for testing from in and around Delhi contained residues of four extremely toxic pesticides and insecticides — lindane, DDT, malathion and chlorpyrifos. The multinational companies Coca-Cola and PepsiCo immediately challenged the report and indicated that they might consider legal action. Presenting the findings at a press conference here today, the Director, CSE, Sunita Narain, said that in all the samples, the levels of pesticide residues far exceeded the maximum residue limit for pesticides in water used as "food'' as set down by the European Economic Commission (EEC).

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

CSE uncorks toxin genie in soft drinks
Pepsi and Coca Cola products contain four toxic pesticide residues, said a Centre for Science and Environment report released today, after testing 12 of their major brands in Delhi markets. A similar test on samples taken from cola made in the USA did not reveal such toxins, CSE claimed. According to the report, all the 12 soft drinks of the leading brands far exceeded the maximum residue limit for pesticides set by the European Economic Commission. The CSE tested three samples each of the soft drinks for pesticides, and came up with the alarming result that the drinks contained pesticide residues such as lindane, DDT, malathion and chlorpyrifos, and also arsenic, cadmium, lead and copper in enough amounts to cause long-term health hazards.

The Statesman, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

Coke, Pepsi may sue CSE
Coca-Cola and Pepsi are contemplating legal action against the Centre for Science and Environment. “We are exploring various options, including legal recourse,” Coca-Cola India President Sanjiv Gupta told newspersons at a press conference organised jointly with PepsiCo India. Pepsi India CEO Rajiv Bakshi said the firm’s products met both American as well as European standards. “All the products are tested in independent, internationally-accredited, scientific laboratories,” Bakshi added.

Business Standard, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

Pesticides in soft drinks
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) today came out with a report saying the top 12 soft-drink brands of Pepsi and Coca-Cola contained pesticides and insecticides far in excess of the limit set by the European Economic Commission. This comes six months after the centre’s report on pesticides in leading packaged water brands. The residues, which include lindane, DDT, malathion and chlorpyrifos, could cause cancer, damage to the nervous and reproductive systems, birth defects and severe disruption of the immune system in the long-term, the report said.

Business Standard, New Delhi, August 06, 2003

New norms for soft drinks
The government said it was working on revised quality norms for carbonated beverages in the wake of the upgradation of health safety standards for packaged and bottled drinking water. Deputy Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards KK Goyal said though the norms would not be mandatory, the proposal was that only bottled water should be used to manufacture soft drinks. They said the ministry would study the report of the Centre for Science and Environment on the subject but "prima facie the issue concerns Prevention of Food Adulteration Act which was under the purview of the Health Ministry".

Business Standard, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 3

Pesticides found in Coke, Pepsi
In a startling revelation, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) today said aerated waters produced by soft drinks manufacturers, including multinational giants Pepsico and Coca- Cola, contain pesticides and insecticides. Six months after its findings on bottled mineral water, the CSE has now taken the fizz out of popular brands of aerated waters claiming that cold drinks like Coke, Pepsi, Seven Up, Mirinda, Fanta, Thums Up, Limca, Sprite and many others carry “deadly” insecticides like lindane, DDT, malathion and chlorpyrifos.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 06, 2003

Pesticides and hazardous Products
Soft drink giants refute findings
Coca-Cola India and Pepsico India refuted as wild allegations the findings of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) about the presence of pesticides in soft drinks of the two cola giants and said they would consider legal recourse if the NGO report tarnished their image. Earlier in the day, CSE claimed that 12 brands of soft drinks manufactured by Pepsico and Coca-Cola contain “a deadly cocktail of pesticide residues” capable of causing cancer, birth defects and reducing bone density. The two companies under the banner of the Indian Soft Drinks Manufacturers Association said they were ready to get their products tested by any international accredited lab.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 06, 2003

Coke & Pepsi dismiss claim, may sue NGO
By Ambika Pandit
Rubbishing the claim of the Centre for Science and Environment that there high levels of pesticides are present in major cold drink brands, market leaders Pepsi and Coca-Cola claimed that their products met all international standards and threatened standards and threatened to take the NGO to court if the need arose.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 2

Coke, Pepsi: Hum Besharam Hain
By Ambika Pandit
Marketed as safe thirst-quenching substitutes, top soft drink brands like Pepsi and Coca-Cola are nothing short of slow poison! A study on the presence of high levels of pesticides in soft drinks by the Centre for Science and Environment, an NGO, has put 12 top soft drink brands in the dock. The CSE report on Tuesday revealed popular brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta, Mirinda Orange and Lemon, Seven-Up, Limca, Blue Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Thums Up, Diet Pepsi and Sprite contain pesticides way above the permissible limit. Ironically, a comparative analysis of samples of Pepsi and Coca-Cola manufactured in the US with their Indian products revealed that the brands from the USA were clear of pesticides. However, their Indian products tested positive for pesticides several times higher than the permissible limit under the European Economic Commission.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 06, 03, Page No. 1

Cola solidarity to the fore
In a rare show of solidarity — Mr Rajiv Bakshi, Chairman, PepsiCo India Holding, and Mr Sanjiv Gupta, President and CEO, Coca-Cola India — said that their products were of the same standard across the world, be it in India, the US or Europe. PepsiCo's Mr Bakshi told Business Line: "We are not worried about being within the laws in India. Our products are subject to stringent quality standards both internally and externally, from independent accredited laboratories." Coke's Mr Gupta said that the companies "were considering all options, including a legal recourse." He was unwilling to comment on what would finally trigger the companies to file a lawsuit to stand by the quality of their products.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

Coke, Pepsi contain pesticide residues: Study
It was the two multinational cola giants — Coca-Cola and Pepsi — who were in the environmentalists' dock today, with the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) uncorking its study that revealed a `cocktail of pesticide residues' in soft drink brands belonging to the two global majors. And though these two companies operate within the food laws prevalent in India, CSE alleged that they exercised "double standards", in terms of selling "dirty cola" in India, while their products in the US, for instance, contain no pesticides. And even before the last sound byte was heard on the issue, the competing cola majors put their heads together and called for an interaction with the media, where they dismissed CSE's allegations as "baseless".

Business Line, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

Yeh dil maange more pesticides?
Six months after the Centre for Science and Environment tested bottled water and reported that it had 36 times the amount of ‘‘pesticide residues’’ as allowed by the European Economic Commission, it found virtually identical results for carbonated drinks sold by Pepsico and Coca-Cola. Both companies, at a joint press conference today, dismissed these findings as ‘‘wild and baseless’’ saying they had internal quality control mechanisms that ensured their brands met international standards. The companies said that instead of a ‘‘trial by media,’’ they ‘‘would like to have an independent inquiry.’’ The CSE study released today—based on tests conducted by its Pollution Monitoring Laboratory—claimed that 12 brands of beverages sold by these two in Delhi had four main pesticide residues: DDT, Lindane, Chlorophyrifos and Malathion.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page 1supp

Poison in your soft drink: Study
By Sutirtho Patranobis
Twelve popular soft-drink brands have been found to contain dangerously high levels of pesticides and insecticides. Delhi-based NGO Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) tested brands of market leaders Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. It found that Coke contained 30 times and Pepsi 36 times the amount of pesticides considered acceptable by the European Economic Commission (EEC). The NGO also tested one bottle each of Coke and Pepsi bought in the US. They were both free of pesticide residue. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have threatened legal action against the NGO.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

Why Coke, Pepsi can get away
By Sonu Jain
The Centre for Science and Environment’s claim that carbonated drinks sold by Pepsico and Coca-Cola have toxic ‘‘pesticide residues’’ 35 times the globally accepted level shows just one thing: food and drinking water are contaminated and authorities are yet to wake up. In fact, Pepsico and Coca-Cola are tested for every imaginable thing that goes into making a cold drink — sugar, liquid, glucose, fruit pulp, juice — but water that constitutes 90 per cent of the drink is not tested. Forget testing, there are no norms for this water, the main raw material. The only regulation is the line: ‘‘potable water should be used.’’

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 1

Pesticides and Hazardous Products
Pesticide traces found in leading soft drink brands
Are consumers ingesting pesticides when they quench their thirst with soft drinks? Laboratory analysis by an independent NGO suggests soft drinks giants might be actually serving toxic pesticides and insecticides that come as part of contaminated water used as content of drinks. The Centre for Science and Environment, which earlier kicked up a storm over pesticides in bottled water, alleged that contents of 12 cold drink brands contained residues of extremely toxic pesticides. All samples indicated pesticides in excess of standards laid down by the European Economic Commission (EEC). The Centre also alleged that the Government had failed to lay down norms governing food safety for soft drinks. Even as it accused the multinational companies Coca-Cola and PepsiCo for indulging in double standards for the quality in Indian and overseas markets. The two soft drinks giants have called these reports "wild allegations."

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 06, 2003, Page No. 5