Karnataka taking Coke to court

[ 19 Aug, 2006 0133hrs IST, TIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

BANGALORE: While five states banned the sale of Coke and Pepsi and several others mulling the move, Karnataka has gone a step ahead and registered a case in a civil court in Bangalore against Coca-Cola.

After bans by Kerala, MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Punjab, Karnataka has taken further corrective action — the first in the country to file a case against the MNC.

Health minister R Ashok on Friday said the state itself conducted tests and found the level of chemical pesticides higher than the permitted levels.

“We bought the Coke at a general shop, took a receipt for it and submitted the bottle to tests at a fully equipped private lab in Whitefield. The tests were conducted by government technicians. It was found that Coke contained chemical melathin to an extent of 0.142 ppm as against the permitted 0.1,” he said.

The state has quoted provisions of the Food Adulteration Act and registered a case against Coca-Cola in the Small Causes Court on Nrupatunga Road.

The case was admitted on Aug 12. The state has also submitted all 12 carbonated drinks identified by the Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment as having a very high concentration of pesticide for testing.

“We got results for Thums-Up and Mirinda, both of which have a higher amount of pesticide than is permitted. While hepatachlore in Thums-Up is above permitted level, chlorophyripas in Mirinda is high. We will file cases against these two drinks also,” he said.

That is not all. The state has over 500 local brands of carbonated drinks, all of which will be submitted to similar testing and action.

“The health of our children is very important. We will take action whether it is an MNC or a local company,” Ashok maintained. The state is contemplating a total ban like Kerala.

The government will get details from Kerala on how they imposed the ban, then discuss the issue with legal experts and try to put a similar ban in place.

“We’ve already enforced the ban in government educational institutions and hospitals. Action will be taken against anyone violating the ban. We have also issued a directive to all private establishments to refrain from the sale of such carbonated drinks,” Ashok stated.