Kerala gives clean chit to Coke

The interim test report of the samples of Coca-cola from the company's Plachimada plant in Kerala has revealed that the soft drink did not contain cadmium and the lead content was much lower than the permissible level, Health Minister P Sankaran informed the State Assembly on Wednesday.

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Replying to a submission by P S Supal (CPI), he said the interim report was based on the results of tests conducted at the Analytical Laborataries in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam.

According to the report there was no presence of cadmium and the lead content was .006 particle per million and .028 ppm, which was much lower than the permissible level, he said.

The samples had also been sent for examination to the Central Food Technology and Research Institute, Mysore, and report of the test was expected on Thursday, he said.

CM warns of stringent action if toxic stuff found

However, Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony said the state government will follow the directions of Supreme Court and the Centre in conducting test of samples of the soft drink.

The Supreme court and the Centre had directed that tests be conducted in two nationally accredited laboratories. The final result of tests conducted at the Central Food Technology and Research Institute, Mysore, would be known on Thursday.

The government would conduct one more test in another central laboratory, he said, adding "action would be taken against the plant if test results proved that soft drinks contained any toxic substances."