Pesticides in soft drinks, Govt seized of the matter

New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) The Government today outrightly rejected the Left allegations that MNCs manufacturing Coca Cola and Pepsi were being supported by it but assured that appropriate action would be taken against these companies if food standards safety norms had been flouted.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi here said the issue would be brought to the notice of the concerned ministries of Health, Food Processing Industry and Consumer Affairs to go into the matter. If need be, the Government would not hestitate to take appropriate action against the soft drink manufacturing companies, he added.

Taking exception to the Left Parties' allegations that these companies were being promoted at the behest of the government, he said these MNCs had set up their first unit in Kerala during the Left regime, followed by another in West Bengal where the CPM had been in power.

CPM Leader Mohammad Salim and CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta had earlier accused the government of colluding with these companies. Mr Dasgupta said that the Indian Football Federation and BCCI were the biggest sponsors of these soft drinks.

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