LDF demands ban on sale of Pepsi, Coca Cola in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 6 (UNI) Taking a serious note of the new findings on the high-level of pesticide residues in Pepsi and Coca Cola, the Left Democratic Front in Kerala today demanded that the Government ban the sale of these soft drinks in the state.

''The sale of Pepsi, Coca Cola and all other products of the two multinational companies' should be banned in the state with immediate effect in the wake of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report of high-level of pesticides in these soft drinks,'' LDF Convener Vaikom Viswam told reporters after the Front's meeting here.

When asked if only a ban on sales was now being demanded or the closure of the companies' plants, he said the government should decide on it after taking into account all the aspects.

The LDF was of the opinion that a company which sold killer pesticides should not be tolerated in the state even if it meant closure of the companies, he added.

To a question if the mineral water sold by these companies should also be banned, Mr Viswam said steps could be taken in that direction if it were found to be harmful.

Replying to a question whether awareness should have been created rather than demanding a ban, the convener said people in Kerala were already aware of it. The level of pesticide residuals in the soft drinks had been proved scientifically many times and in such a situation, a ban was the need of the hour, he added.

On the Self Financing Professional colleges issue, Mr Viswam said discussions with the self-financing medical and engineering college managements for an out-of-court settlement on the issue would continue. The LDF had not shut the doors for discussions with the college managements and a consensus would be arrived at, he said.

On reports of differences in the CPI and RSP, the two constituents in the Front, on the discussions with the college managements, he said there were no differences and the Front had unanimously taken such a decision.

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