D
Dr. Jai Maharaj
Guest
Colas had pesticide, CSE correct: JPC
Rediff On The Net Wednesday, February 4, 2004
The Joint Parliamentary Committee on soft drinks has upheld the findings of the Centre for Science
and Environment that the 12 branded cola products, including those of Pepsi and Coca-Cola, it
examined did contain pesticide residues.
In view of this, the JPC has asked the government to formulate stringent quality norms for
carbonated drinks.
"The committee is of the view that the CSE findings are correct on the presence of pesticide
residues in carbonated water in respect of three samples each of 12 brand products of Pepsico and
Coca-Cola analysed by them. (We) would conclude that CSE stands corroborated on its finding
pesticide residues in carbonated water," the JPC report titled 'Pesticide residues in and safety
standards for soft drinks, fruit juices and other beverages,' said.
The report said CFL-CFTRI of Mysore and CFL Kolkata analysed independently samples of the same 12
brands collected and sent to them by the Directorate General of Health Services.
"Both laboratories also detected the presence of organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticide
residues. The presence of pesticide residues is therefore a common scientific finding of all the
three laboratories," the report said.
However, on the quantitative aspect, the results of CSE and those of CFL- CFTRI and CFL vary widely.
"The committee has no hesitation in admitting that as explained by different experts who deposed
before it, variations in analytical research is a well-known factor. In the instant case there have
undoubtedly been variations in the samples which had different batch numbers and were manufactured
at different locations."
It said: "Even though all the three laboratories employed the same analytical procedure, differences
were noticed in the way the procedure was performed, with the result that the differences could be
significant."
Dismissing claims by both, Coke and Pepsi, that since more than half of their operations are through
franchisee owned bottling plants, these franchisees should adhere to quality norms, the JPC termed
these explanations 'unsatisfactory.'
"The committee feels that the existence of a bottlers' agreement cannot absolve the producers and
marketers of their responsibility towards ensuring freedom from contamination of the beverages sold
to consumers," it said.
"Whether its own bottling unit or a franchisee bottling unit, it is the absolute responsibility of
the brand owner who selects the bottlers, provides the processing technology, quality, know-how, the
concentrate and finally markets the end products to ensure that consumers get a product which is in
conformity with the prescribed norms of quality and safety," it said.
Taking note of the fact that the Rs 6,000 crore (Rs 60 billion) soft drink industry (which JPC
also refers to as carbonated or sweetened aerated water) was unregulated, JPC said: "It is
exempted from industrial licensing under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 and
gets a one- time licence to operate from the ministry of food processing industries under the
Fruit Products Order 1955 and a no-objection certificate from the local government and the state
pollution control board."
Also Read
Soft drinks, hard truths: The cola row
Read the complete news at: http://www.rediff.com
Jai Maharaj http://www.mantra.com/jai Om Shanti
Panchaang for 14 Maagh 5104, Wednesday, February 4, 2004:
Shubhanu Nama Samvatsare Uttarayane Moksh Ritau Makar Mase Shukl Pakshe Buddh Vasara Yuktayam Punarvasu-
Pushya Nakshatr Priti-Ayushman Yog Gar-Vanij Karan Chaturdashi Yam Tithau
Hindu Holocaust Museum http://www.mantra.com/holocaust
Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy http://www.hindu.org http://www.hindunet.org
The truth about Islam and Muslims http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate
o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the educational purposes of research and
open discussion. The contents of this post may not have been authored by, and do not
necessarily represent the opinion of the poster. The contents are protected by copyright law
and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works. o If you send private e-mail to me, it
will likely not be read, considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name,
current e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number. o Posted for information
and discussion. Views expressed by others are not necessarily those of the poster.
Rediff On The Net Wednesday, February 4, 2004
The Joint Parliamentary Committee on soft drinks has upheld the findings of the Centre for Science
and Environment that the 12 branded cola products, including those of Pepsi and Coca-Cola, it
examined did contain pesticide residues.
In view of this, the JPC has asked the government to formulate stringent quality norms for
carbonated drinks.
"The committee is of the view that the CSE findings are correct on the presence of pesticide
residues in carbonated water in respect of three samples each of 12 brand products of Pepsico and
Coca-Cola analysed by them. (We) would conclude that CSE stands corroborated on its finding
pesticide residues in carbonated water," the JPC report titled 'Pesticide residues in and safety
standards for soft drinks, fruit juices and other beverages,' said.
The report said CFL-CFTRI of Mysore and CFL Kolkata analysed independently samples of the same 12
brands collected and sent to them by the Directorate General of Health Services.
"Both laboratories also detected the presence of organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticide
residues. The presence of pesticide residues is therefore a common scientific finding of all the
three laboratories," the report said.
However, on the quantitative aspect, the results of CSE and those of CFL- CFTRI and CFL vary widely.
"The committee has no hesitation in admitting that as explained by different experts who deposed
before it, variations in analytical research is a well-known factor. In the instant case there have
undoubtedly been variations in the samples which had different batch numbers and were manufactured
at different locations."
It said: "Even though all the three laboratories employed the same analytical procedure, differences
were noticed in the way the procedure was performed, with the result that the differences could be
significant."
Dismissing claims by both, Coke and Pepsi, that since more than half of their operations are through
franchisee owned bottling plants, these franchisees should adhere to quality norms, the JPC termed
these explanations 'unsatisfactory.'
"The committee feels that the existence of a bottlers' agreement cannot absolve the producers and
marketers of their responsibility towards ensuring freedom from contamination of the beverages sold
to consumers," it said.
"Whether its own bottling unit or a franchisee bottling unit, it is the absolute responsibility of
the brand owner who selects the bottlers, provides the processing technology, quality, know-how, the
concentrate and finally markets the end products to ensure that consumers get a product which is in
conformity with the prescribed norms of quality and safety," it said.
Taking note of the fact that the Rs 6,000 crore (Rs 60 billion) soft drink industry (which JPC
also refers to as carbonated or sweetened aerated water) was unregulated, JPC said: "It is
exempted from industrial licensing under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 and
gets a one- time licence to operate from the ministry of food processing industries under the
Fruit Products Order 1955 and a no-objection certificate from the local government and the state
pollution control board."
Also Read
Soft drinks, hard truths: The cola row
Read the complete news at: http://www.rediff.com
Jai Maharaj http://www.mantra.com/jai Om Shanti
Panchaang for 14 Maagh 5104, Wednesday, February 4, 2004:
Shubhanu Nama Samvatsare Uttarayane Moksh Ritau Makar Mase Shukl Pakshe Buddh Vasara Yuktayam Punarvasu-
Pushya Nakshatr Priti-Ayushman Yog Gar-Vanij Karan Chaturdashi Yam Tithau
Hindu Holocaust Museum http://www.mantra.com/holocaust
Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy http://www.hindu.org http://www.hindunet.org
The truth about Islam and Muslims http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate
o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the educational purposes of research and
open discussion. The contents of this post may not have been authored by, and do not
necessarily represent the opinion of the poster. The contents are protected by copyright law
and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works. o If you send private e-mail to me, it
will likely not be read, considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name,
current e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number. o Posted for information
and discussion. Views expressed by others are not necessarily those of the poster.