Kerala HC reserves order on ban on Coke, Pepsi

Kochi, Sep 12 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today reserved judgement on the writ petitions filed by Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd and Pepsico Holdings India Ltd challenging the ban on Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola in the state.

Arguments of the cola companies and the state government concluded this evening before a division bench comprising Chief Justice V K Bali and Justice M Ramachandran.

In their arguments, Coke and Pepsi mainly contended that the state government had no power to ban products under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.

If at all it is found that a food article is adulterated, the course of action available to the government is to prosecute the producers.

It was further sumitted that the samples were not collected as contemplated under the law. Hasty action, taken by the government relying on a study by a Delhi-based NGO without authentication, is arbitrary.

The government contended that the ban was imposed to safeguard the interest of the public at large and the state had the power to impose a ban in public interest. The Perumatty panchayat and People's Forum for Natural Justice impleaded in the case, also supported the stance of the government.

UNI XR ARC AD1805