The controversy about PepsiCo and Coca-Cola in India is yet to die down fully. One of the battle grounds now is the Southern state of Karnataka. Karnataka government banned the sale of Coke and Pepsi in public places schools and colleges, government offices, hospitals and even in bus terminals. Karnataka government imposed this ban after the publication of a report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) accusing Coke and Pepsi containing high level of pesticide. PepsiCo went to the Karnataka High Court and now the High Court has given an interim order under which PepsiCO would be able to sell its products in all the public places excluding school and colleges.
Until 25 September, PepsiCo can do so it in this state as on that day the court will again hear this matter. To give you the arguments of both the sides I am quoting from a report of Myiris.com:
“Pepsico in its petition submitted pointed out that under the provisions laid down by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 the government had no jurisdiction, authority or power to prohibit sale of any article. Even the Karnataka Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules 1986 also did not confer any such powers, it submitted.
Only the Central Government had the powers under the Act, the company`s petition highlighted.
The state`s Advocate General Uday Holla however has rejected the contention submitting that under the provisions of the said Act, he stated that the state had powers to impose prohibition on the ground that it would injure the public health.”
I am sure that Pepsi officials in India will have a sigh of relief. Still, it will take another few weeks to let the dusts settle down and then Pepsi and Coke can focus on getting the consumers back again.
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Personally I'm glad to see Pepsi win this round. Pesticides in drinking water in India has long been an issue - hopefully people will start focusing on the real issue at hand and clean up that issue.
Posted by: Catch Up Lady | September 7, 2006 8:01 AM | Permalink to Comment