Pushed to the wall over findings on pesticide residues in its soft drinks, Coca-Cola on Friday questioned the ban slapped on it by state governments, saying pesticide level in its products were well within the stringent European Union standards.
"No detectable level of pesticides (were found) in Indian soft drinks when measured against the EU criteria in independent lab study," a Coca-Cola India statement said.
The company's statement follows action taken by a number of state governments, including Kerala, which had banned production and sale of colas in the state -- a move that was dubbed as 'arbitrary' by angry industry chambers.
Apex chambers FICCI and CII (the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the Confederation of Indian Industry) had on Thursday stated that the arbitrary decisions by the state governments could affect the investment climate in the country.
"We are concerned that apparently arbitrary decisions have been taken to ban manufacture and sale of carbonated beverages without going through the due process of law," CII President R Seshasayee had said.
Coke in its statement asserted its soft drinks have been regularly tested and evaluated by a world renowned UK government laboratory -- Central Science Laboratories (CSL) and conformed to the stringent standards.
"All tests show that our soft drinks are below the EU criteria for pesticide residues in bottled water," the cola giant said.
Coca Cola India said it also supported a move by the government to adopt a clear criteria for pesticide residues in soft drinks, which are based on scientifically validated testing methods.
"We are working with relevant government bodies in India to develop and finalise the criteria along with their associated testing protocols for pesticide residues in soft drinks," it said.
Coke also said it was committed to provide the same quality standard for products in India as it was elsewhere in the world.
"We have the same uncompromising commitment to product safety and quality in our beverages in India that we offer around the world," it said.
The company said the Indian operations followed stringent standards for all the ingredients used in its beverages.
"These standards are backed by analytical testing protocols for these ingredients and we regularly audit all plants for compliance," the statement said.
Ever since NGO Centre for Science and Environment came out with its second finding in three years on pesticides in soft drinks, cola companies have been at the receiving end with many state governments imposing a ban on their products.
Karnataka had also joined other states Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, and Pondicherry in banning the sale of Coca-Cola and Pepsi in educational and government institutions, besides hospitals.
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