CSE rejects offer for talks, Cola says reconsider stand

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) Protesting the ''double standards'' of the soft drinks industry and the inordinate delays in setting norms, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) today rejected an offer of a meeting extended by Coca-Cola.

Coca Cola termed the rejection of their offer as ''highly disappointing.'' It has urged CSE to reconsider its stand and agree for meeting in public interest.

On August 16, Coca-Cola had invited CSE to a meeting to discuss the issue of pesticide residues in its products.

The CSE said it had, initially, agreed to the meeting -- but on the condition that the agenda be confined to regulations. Clarifying CSE's position, its director Sunita Narain said: "Our initial response of acceptance to the meeting was in good faith, believing that the company was genuinely interested in a dialogue on how the process of regulation and standard setting would move forward. But recent events, since then; make it clear that public policy is being compromised, and therefore, we cannot see the purpose of a meeting between Coca-Cola and us." In its letter to the CEO of Coca-Cola India, CSE has explained why it believes public policy has been compromised. The report of the expert committee of the Union Ministry of Health and Family welfare was "based verbatim on the comments of the scientists that (the) company had flown down from London." it asserted Furthermore, CSE says its "response to the expert committee report will make it clear that the evidence used to discredit (its) report is based on what can be, at best, called misinterpretation of scientific data and at worst, a deliberate and well-orchestrated strategy to thrash its analysis and work".

On the other hand, Coca- Cola said it supported the move by the Government to adopt clear criteria for pesticide residues, based on scientifically validated testing methods ''We are already working with relevant government bodies to develop and finalise the criteria along with their associated testing protocols for pesticide residue in soft drinks,'' it said, while reacting to the CSE rejection of their offer for meeting.

''We remain interested in dialogue with all stakeholders, including CSE. We would welcome if CSE would reconsider their position and agree to meet us,'' Coca-Cola said.

UNI NAZ SBA HT2030