Fears of pesticide in softdrink unfounded: CCFI

Mumbai, Aug 23 (UNI) The quantum of pesticide residues as reported by Centre for Science and Environment would not cause any harm to Indians Chairman of the Emeritus of the Crop Care Foundation of India (CCFI) Salil Singhal, said.

Mr Singhal told reporters today that allegations by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment about soft drink consumption being unsafe and unhealthy due to presence of pesticide residues are unsubstantiated and uncorroborated.

CCFI is the industry body of the Rs 6,000 crore Indian pesticide industry.

Tiny toxins present in pesticides impact human body over time as stated by the CSE spokesperson is a baseless claim aimed at creating confusion and panic in the minds of people and the Indian pesticide industry, Mr Singhal added.

''The CSE report talks about possible adverse impact on human health without specifying at what dosages and over what period. The CSE technical report talks of impact dosages more than 1000 times than that prescribed or what humans are normally exposed to in daily life,'' Mr Singhal clarified.

''Today we live in a world of chemicals and pesticides of which some chemicals are useful to mankind and toxicity is a matter of dosages,'' he said adding that all chemicals including pesticides are safe when used properly in recommended dosages.

He further said studies by independent team of scientists have confirmed the quantum of residues found in food, fibre, and all the drinks including water was not detrimental to human health.

Mr Singhal said CSE's allegations are a matter of serious public concern and thus it is imperative that CSE substantiate their findings with hard facts having a firm basis in science or else it will amount to 'wilful' misrepresentation of facts aimed at causing a scare in general public and harming the business interests of over 100 leading Indian Agrochemical manufacturers and exporters.

UNI JM KU AD RAI2002