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Coca-Cola Appeals New Label Laws
 
Ratna Bhusan
Times of India
July 27, 2005

NEW DELHI: The ambiguity continues over declaration of contents on soft drink labels. Coke & Pepsi, filed an appeal in Supreme Court against the Rajasthan High Court deadline of August 3 which orders them to disclose contents of soft drinks, including the permissible levels of pesticides and chemicals, on bottle labels.

The court had ordered carbonated beverage manufacturers to disclose composition and contents of soft drinks on all bottles, packages or containers of soft drinks.

While cola firms argue that they are being unfairly singled out for alleged pesticide content, consumer rights organisations see this as a dampener to consumers. Sunita Narain, director at CSE said, "It is unfortunate that these firms are not agreeing to disclose contents of soft drinks, despite the Joint Parliamentary Committee report".

Added an industry source, "If Coke & Pepsi say their beverages do not pose any health hazards, why can't they declare this on labels? Resorting to endless petitions and appeals won't help any one's cause."

The pesticide controversy has been raging since two years, when the CSE revealed study findings that 12 soft drink brands contain residues of toxic pesticides. The CSE findings triggered a national debate on safety of cola consumption.

Faced with a negative fallout in terms of sales and imagery, both firms have joined hands and denied that their beverages are unsafe for consumption.

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