Colas banned in K'taka hospitals, institutions

Bangalore, Aug 9: The Karnataka Government has banned the sale of soft drinks in the premises of hospitals and educational institutions, both Government and private, besides Government programmes from August 14 as the colas were found to contain pesticidal residues above the permissible limit.

Talking to newspersons here, Health Minister R Ashok said the Government had tested all the soft drinks in a laboratory and found pesticidal residues above the permissible limit. The Government was considering to file a criminal case against all the soft drink companies under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, he disclosed.

Many organisations and student associations had protested against the colas and demanded its ban, he recalled.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj S Horatti, who was also present, said the ban would apply from a 100 ft diameter around schools and colleges.

The Government would consult with legal experts and take a decision on imposing a total, State-level ban on the aerated drinks.

Besides, action was being contemplated against the sale of junk food in educational institutions, he said.

It may be recalled here that the Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh Governments have already issued circulars, banning the sale of such drinks in the canteens of universities and Government offices.

UNI