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NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 5, 2003: In findings, hotly contested by global giants Coke and Pepsi, the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) picked up three bottles each of 12 soft drink brands from the two companies from Delhi and found they contained a “deadly pesticide cocktail” which exceed European norms by around 11 to 70 times. But these do not breach Indian laws which, said the CSE, are weak or non-existent. Rivals Coke and Pepsi, accused of “double standards,” came together to challenge CSE’s testing methods. They sought an independent scientific inquiry into the matter, while claiming that their products were safe and world-class. Our products are tested locally, in accredited labs, and internationally, said Coke and Pepsi chiefs Sanjeev Gupta and Rajeev Bakshi respectively. Both companies claim that they operate within European and American norms with “top-grade testing, top-grade products.” CSE chief Sunita Narain said sample bottles picked up from the US showed no trace of pesticides. However, CSE found high individual pesticide residues in the Delhi samples: An average of 15 times higher for DDT and metabolites; 21 times higher for lindane; 42 times higher for chlorphyrifos; 87 times higher for malathion. On the list, all allegedly breaching the norms, were Coke, Pepsi, Thums Up, Fanta, Mirinda Orange, Mirinda Lemon, Seven Up, Limca, Blue Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Diet Pepsi and Sprite.



HPI has contacted the USA Coca-Cola company, whose representative is finding out for us the name of the independent labs that tested the product. The USA Coca-Cola company said, “Coca-Cola and Pepsi products made in India are regularly tested in world-class laboratories, including for the four pesticides named in the CSE report. The products meet North American and European standards. Stringent quality monitoring takes places at the manufacturing plants both of source water and finished product, and internationally and locally accredited laboratories conduct regular testing.”

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