BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi all

Holythunder and I were wondering whether we should break this news. But while we do not want to create a scare, it is best that it is know to the bootsnall members.

Here it is:
Tuesday, August 5, 2003 (New Delhi):
The Centre for Science and Environment today claimed that the bottled soft drinks owned by two MNCs -- PepsiCo and Coke -- also health standards, testing positive for pesticides.

(the above is an extract from www.ndtv.com). Of course, both Pepsi and Coke have contested in court, denying this. The report said that the level of toxins was way above acceptable limits

Perhaps for the time being, tetrapacked fruit juices would be the best bet to have while in India.

Some links of newspapers and tvchannels are:
www.ndtv.com
www.timesofindia.com

These would provide you with updated news, all the time

I heard that on the news yesterday also. Thanx for the warning, I hope things get better soon.

Five bucks!

I am reading this differently. Here is the story from that source that I read:

Saturday, August 9, 2003 (Pune):

Government may consider revoking the licences of the companies manufacturing soft drinks in India if the report indicates presence of pesticides beyond the permissible level, Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries N T Shanmugam said here today.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on 'Food Processing Industries - Present and Future' organised by Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, he said samples of 15 brands of soft drinks and allied products have been sent for testing to the Centre for Food Technology Institute (CFTI) at Mysore and the report is awaited.

"If the report indicates presence of pesticides beyond the permissible limits, then we would take stern action against them and may also consider to revoke their manufacturing licences," Shanmugam said.

The whole thing sounds fishy to me though. I am not a fan of huge soft-drink companies, but isn't it somewhat puzzling that both of the American companies are under suspicion?
What are the odds of that?

Follow the money: who has something to gain by this? The competition.

Joe, that is because these are the only two companies that manufacture softdrinks in India. They took over the Indian softdrink manufactuers, like dukes and parle.

Both Pepsi and Coke have now filed suits in the court, time will tell what is true. even earlier a bottled manufacturer was held for the same issue and entire stock was withdrawn, i forget which, it was long ago. will keep u posted on the developments.

I am posting all developments under the Asia forum, since updates will be useful only to those travelling to India.

Here's a link to the thread Dusty's referring to, so you can follow her postings...

I know I'll be watching this pretty closely!

Cheers, Anthony

yet another reason to wean from the teat of the soda industry

vive l'eau

I heard this a while back in India. The pesticide rates in fruits (which are really susceptible) was lower that Pepsi. For some reason, in my mind that makes Fanta ok. I try to pretend that it's not made by the same company!!!!

PC

Check out my new RTW blog:
http://blogs.bootsnall.com/claudia