Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Cabinet yesterday decided to ban the production and distribution of Pepsi Cola and Coca-Cola.
The decision follows the recommendation on Sunday by the Left Democratic Front committee to the government to ban the sales of colas following findings that the beverages had pesticide content much higher than the prescribed limits.
The findings were revealed in a study conducted by Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states also had decided to stop marketing of colas following the revelation of the laboratory tests of the beverages.
Announcing the cabinet decision to reporters here, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said the decision had been taken considering the harmful effects of colas on human health as revealed by the tests. However, no decision has been taken on banning subsidiary products of the makers of these soft drinks.
It is learnt that a ban on other beverages would be announced on the recommendations of a meeting of officials from water resources and health departments.
Ironically, the cola giants who were invited to invest in Kerala during the tenure of the previous Left front government led by the late E.K. Nayanar are now facing a ban on their products enforced by another Left government.
The decision means that the operations of the cola giants in Plachimada and Kanjikode in Palakkad district will be hit even if the companies are allowed to continue production and marketing of their other products.
The chief minister said the cabinet would meet on August 23 to discuss the state's financial position.
The cabinet decided to convene an all-party meeting on establishing a an international container transshipment terminal at Vizhinjam near here.
Achuthanandan said the federal government had informed the minister for ports and law M. Vijayakumar about the rejection of the existing tenders for setting up of the Vizhinjam port.
Aerated drinks banned in school canteens
Karnataka yesterday decided to banish aerated drinks, including Coca-Cola and Pepsi, from schools and state-run hospitals across the state from August 14.
State Health Minister R. Ashok said the ban was being imposed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act due to the high pesticide content in the soft drinks, as indicated by preliminary tests conducted at the mines and geology lab.
