PepsiCo to work in line with India's food standards

New Delhi, Dec 18: PepsiCo President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Indra K Nooyi today said the company has a bright future in India and will continue with its market strategy to manufacture food and beverages in line with the standards prescribed by the government.

''PepsiCo is committed to providing safe, wholesome products and protecting equity in our brands, trademarks and goodwill. Our divisons have implemented policies related to food safety, labeling product integrity and quality,'' Ms Nooyi told reporters here.

Speaking on the issues of pesticide controversies, she said, the company is working in close cooperation with the government, which has been tasked with establishing science-based safety standards for pesticides across the food supply in the country.

She also informed that the company was working together with rivals Coca Cola on a break-through science-based method to reliably and consistently measure the levels in finished products.

On the issues like health due to cola consumption, mainly obesity in children, she said the company proposes to really embark with a constructive dialogue about nutritional food for better health and talk with government to educate children about -- what is right to eat and drink -- and also a proper nutrition and exercise for them.

About the company's investment plans for the country, Ms Nooyi said the company has no plans of any profit making investment right now as their first and only challenge is to make the company, the largest convenient and healthier product manufacturers in India as well as in the world.

This was Ms Nooyi's first visit to the country after becoming the President and CEO of the company on October 1, 2006.

UNI