Kerala State Government
Bans Coke, PepsiBy Kerala News
09 August, 2006
Countercurrents.orgThiruvananthapuram (India), Aug 9: The Kerala State government today banned the production and sale of soft drinks marketed by cola majors Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the state.
The decision, taken by the cabinet on the basis of a recommendation made by the ruling Left Democratic Front's state committee on August 6, put a question mark on the fate of the Coca-Cola plant at Plachimada and the Pepsi unit at Puthussery, both in Palakkad district.
Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told reporters after a meeting of his cabinet that the ban was imposed as many studies had stated these drinks contained elements hazardous to health.
The department of prevention of food adulteration had sent a serious report on this to the government. There were also court verdicts against Cola companies, he said.
Alluding to the three-year struggle against the Coke plant at Plachimada, he said the people had been protesting against the soft drink majors for polluting the environment and over-exploiting groundwater resources.
Asked whether other products of the two companies would also be banned, he said, "A decision on them will naturally follow." Appropriate administrative and legal steps will be taken for the effective implementation of the ban, he said.
