SC issues notice to Centre, Coca Cola and Pepsico

New Delhi, Aug 4 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre and soft drinks majors Coca Cola and Pepsico on a PIL seeking an effective regulatory regime to check contamination of the drinks by highly toxic and addictive ingredients.

A bench comprising Justices B P Singh and Altamas Kabir issued the notices on a PIL filed by Centre for Public Interest Litigation, an NGO, seeking directions to the government to put an effective regulatory regime in place to check the ingredients being used by the soft drinks companies.

It also sought directions to the respondents to display the ingredients and their percentage on the soft drinks bottles and control ''misleading'' advertising and publicity of the drinks, particularly targeting children.

According to the petitioner, the soft drinks contain a very high percentage of pesticides and they does not conform to the international standards and ''are an open invitation to the life threatening diseases and ailments''.

The two soft drinks major are the largest soft drinks manufacturers in India having almost 90 per cent of the market share and they have been flouting the health safety laws with impunity, the petition contended.

Unless and until the soft drinks major display the contents along with their percentage in the drinks they are taking the public for a ride and nobody can be permitted to encroach upon the fundamental right to life which includes a healthy life under Article 21 of Constitution, it added.

UNI AKS/SC YA DS1606