While Kerela imposed a total ban on cola products in the state, Karnataka banned sale of such products near educational institutions.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/BANGALORE: Banning colas seems to be the new national obsession and two more states have joined the race. After several states banned the sale of aerated drinks near schools and government offices, Kerala on Wednesday became the first state to impose a total ban on the manufacturing and distribution of products from the cola majors in the entire state.
Meanwhile, its northern neighbour Karnataka too banned sale of cola products near school and educational institutions. "We have decided to ban the production and distribution of Coca Cola and Pepsi in the state," Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan said on Wednesday, a move that would force both the cola majors to shut each of their factories in the southern state.
He said the government was studying the possibility to extend the ban to other brands, based on the reports of pesticide contents in soft drinks by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). In Karnataka, the sale of 11 brands of aerated drinks of both the majors will be banned effective from August 14 within 100 metres of schools, after a study of random samples collected in Bangalore were found to have a high level of pesticides including Malathion that is harmful for the brain in children.
"The state has requested the centre on its opinion on slapping a total ban on the sale of soft drinks," Karnataka Health Minister R Ashok said. He said fast food like pizza and burgers have also come under government scanner for possible traces of mono sodium glutamate or popularly known as Azinomoto.
Karnataka has invoked the provisions of prevention of food adulteration act 1954.
"There have been many serious studies to prove that these drinks contain toxic contents affecting the health of our people. The department of prevention of food adulteration has also submitted a report in this effect," Achuthanandan said in Thiruvananthapuram.
The ruling Left Democratic Front had recommended the government to ban colas following reports of pesticide contents in soft drinks.
Indian Soft Drinks Manufacturers Association (ISDMA) said they were yet to receive any formal communication from the government on this subject. "We have learnt about this issue from media reports. Our products manufactured in India are absolutely safe and meet every safety standard set by food health and regulatory bodies in India and all over the world," a press note by the association said.
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