India Court Quashes Ban On Coke, Pepsi In Southern State

Sept. 22, 2006
A court in southern India on Sept. 22 lifted a ban on the manufacture and sale of soft drinks by US giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi, amid claims that their beverages contained pesticides. The government in Kerala state had imposed the ban on August 11 after ...

A court in southern India on Sept. 22 lifted a ban on the manufacture and sale of soft drinks by US giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi, amid claims that their beverages contained pesticides. The government in Kerala state had imposed the ban on August 11 after claims by a New Delhi-based environmental group, but the Kerala High Court ruled that the state government did not have the authority to do so. "The ban order issued by the state government was not within the legal powers that rest with the government. Thus we set aside the government order," chief justice V.K. Bali and justice M. Ramachandran said in their ruling.

The cola companies, both of which have bottling plants in the state, welcomed the court order. This order "clearly validates PepsiCos steadfast confidence in the quality and safety of our products," Pepsi said in a statement. "This order protects the interests of big and small retailers, local entrepreneurs and employees which have been affected by this illegal ban," Coca-Cola said, adding that its drinks would soon be available in the state.

Five more of India's 29 states have banned or restricted the sale of Coke and Pepsi after the pesticides claim was made in early August. Coca-Cola said it hoped that other state governments would reconsider similar orders. The companies did not say how much heir business had been hit by the ban.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2006

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

A 3D Look at the Future of Machine Imaging Systems

Dec. 8, 2022
In this Ask the Expert we discuss the latest developments in 3D vision systems and how they’re becoming increasingly important across a wide range of industrial applications, ...

Onsite Wind Generation Guide for C&I

Jan. 22, 2024
This document offers insights into using onsite wind power for businesses, covering feasibility, project development, technology selection, and benefits of renewable energy.

Power Your Facilities with a Wind Turbine and Save Big!

Jan. 22, 2024
Discover how the Inflation Reduction Act makes wind turbines a savvy investment for businesses and facilities. Unlock substantial savings and a greener future with EWT's cutting...

Closed-loop change management supports faster and better project execution

Feb. 8, 2023
Closed-loop change management can save your shipbuilding projects from getting derailed. Our eBook has all the details. Download it now to learn more.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!