Pepsi and Coke have come under intense pressure in India in the last week following another CSE investigation showing higher levels of pesticides in 11 brands of Coke and Pepsi collected from bottling plants in 25 states.

Times of India reported on 2nd August that Sunita Narain, head of Center for Science and Environment presented this information at a press conference adding that while Pepsi contains 30 times more pesticides, there is a 25 times increase in pesticides in coke than 2003.

In its report, the environmental organisation said that caffeinated drinks should not be allowed in the country as it affects the central nervous system and is too bad for the pregnant women.

Owing to a Public Interest Litigation filed earlier (by an NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigations (CPIL) had contended that the soft drinks contain some ingredients and chemicals hazardous to health), the Supreme Court on India on Friday issued notices to soft drink majors Pepsico and Coca Cola on a petition seeking that there should be a disclosure by the companies about the ingredients and chemical composition of the product.

A bench comprising Justice S B Sinha and Justice Dalveer Bhandari directed the two soft drink companies to file their replies within four weeks.

Following this, a number of state legislatures and government agencies have taken action against the companies. The Hindu reported that Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on Saturday banned the sale of Pepsi and Coca Cola within its canteens with immediate effect, in view of allegations that they contain high levels of pesticide.

The Gujarat University has also banned these drinks in all colleges affiliated to the Gujarat University, Vice Chancellor Parimal Trivedi said in Ahmedabad.

NDTV also reported that the Madhya Pradesh government has said no more cold drinks in government offices and education institutions. "We will ban sale of colas in canteens at government offices and educational institutes," said MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

In addition, the Kerala State Government has decided to withdraw all cases registered against anti-Coke activists at Plachimada in Palakkad, official sources said on Saturday. Around 200 persons were listed as accused in six cases under two police stations in connection with the local people's agitation against the alleged over-exploitation of water by the Coca-Cola plant at Plachimada.

Numerous organizations across the country have also organized public meetings and rallies against these companies. There is increasing pressure against public figures who have been part of advertising campaigns for Coke and Pepsi, including Sachin Tendulkar, Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh Khan and Amir Khan. Amir had recently made a statement in support of those being displaced by the dams on Narmada.

At the national level number of political parties including the BJP, Smajwadi and the Communist parties are also demanding a ban on both these companies.

BBC reports that both Coke and Pepsi have yet to respond.

Various groups in Kerala, UP, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu, have also presented data showing that Coke was also dumping toxic pollutants in the soil and poisoning the land and water around these plants – data that has been verified by a number of national and international labs. They have been also accused of draining the water table. Groups have been agitating against the unethical character and exploitative practices of both companies for over 5 years.

Related Links
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Pepsi & Coke Facing Ban, Consumer Boycott