New Delhi accuses Pepsi and Coke of selling toxic cola

The Guardian via SMH ^ | February 6, 2004

[dead]

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo sold soft drinks containing pesticides harmful to human health and misled India's one billion people over claims that their products were safe for human consumption, according to an Indian parliamentary report.

An estimated seven bottles of cold drinks per person are sold in India each year. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo account for more than 80 per cent of the $A2.1 billion market.

A Delhi-based environmental group, the Centre for Science and Environment, last year claimed that soft drink products manufactured in India contained toxins far above the levels permitted in the developed world.

Tests conducted by the group showed Pepsi's soft drinks had 36 times the level of pesticide residues permitted under European Union regulations. Coca-Cola's soft drinks had 30 times the legal level.

The tests found toxins, including lindane and DDT, in 12 different soft drinks. If ingested over long periods, the chemicals could lead to cancer and immune system failure. Similar tests on colas sold in the US found no such toxins.

The joint committee's report, released on Wednesday, recommended stringent new regulations to eradicate all pesticide residues from fizzy drinks.

It said that test results from five laboratories found similar toxin levels in Indian colas.

"We did not find exactly the same level of pesticides or the same quantities but this was because they were not exactly the same samples," said an MP, Sanjay Nirupam. "The batches were different, the manufacturing was different. But all contained pesticides."

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo said they were reviewing the report.

The US companies were also attacked over the running of two bottling plants in the southern state of Kerala. The report said the plants had caused water pollution, the depletion of ground water, reduced crop yield, skin disorders and other ailments.

Both companies said they had recharged local aquifers with the same amount of water used. But the report says their efforts were not "commensurate enough".

[gcruse]

ToxiCola hits the spot,
Esophagus begins to rot,
Pesticide is why we say,
Drink some ToxiCoke today.

[kenth]

Could it be that it was bottled with India's water? Nah, couldn't be, otherwise the same group would have found problems with India's water supply long ago.

[prion]

It said that test results from five laboratories found similar toxin levels in Indian colas.

Sounds like their water supply is screwed up. So, why single out Pepsi and Coca-Cola? Mmmmm...my, what deep pockets you have, grandma.

[dead]

Nicely done! You should run their Indian ad campaign!

[Richard Kimball]

Ever since the Bhopal thing, India isn't as trusting as it used to be.

[Billthedrill]

Tests conducted by the group showed Pepsi's soft drinks had 36 times the level of pesticide residues permitted under European Union regulations. Coca-Cola's soft drinks had 30 times the legal level.

"Drink Coke - 20% less pesticides then Pepsi!"

Seriously, testing Indian Pepsi against Norwegian Pepsi is simply testing the water quality of the respective sources. They ought to test it against locally-produced soft drinks and beer, but I'd guess that wouldn't be as inflammatory.

[Righty1]

Same Asian protectionism, different country. But,, but, I thought India was part of the Kyoto green revolution???

[Blue Screen of Death]

This from people who swim in the Ganges?

[dfwgator]

Why don't they call it, "Bhopal-Cola?"

[taxed2death]

Define toxic.

I've used Coca Cola for years for removing rust on old (small) motorcycle parts.

24 hours in a bucket of Coke and you can flake the rust off with your fingertips.

I'll never drink the stuff though....

[gcruse]

What's really happening here is that we're outsourcing our looneygation.

[hellinahandcart]

Excellent. :D

[Yo-Yo]

Define toxic.
I've used Coca Cola for years for removing rust on old (small) motorcycle parts.
24 hours in a bucket of Coke and you can flake the rust off with your fingertips.
I'll never drink the stuff though....

Yup, and stay away from Lemonade for the same reason. That nasty citric acid.

[MD_Willington_1976]

But of course the practice of drinking cow and human urine is totally acceptable in India...

Piss Cola...like mountain due, it goes in one color and comes out the same color...

[Doctor Stochastic]

But of course the practice of drinking cow and human urine is totally acceptable in India...

Do you have a citation for this claim? I haven't heard this one before.

[MD_Willington_1976]

http://www.dalitstan.org/journal/brahman/bra001/brah0112.html
http://www.wonder-cures.com/cow'surine.htm

[Doctor Stochastic]

Doesn't seem to be totally acceptable. Of course, there are evidences that some people do this, but it doesn't seem to be a cultural practice.

404 on the other link.

[NRA2BFree]

ToxiCola hits the spot,

Esophagus begins to rot,

Pesticide is why we say,

Drink some ToxiCoke today.

LOL! Very good! :)

[MD_Willington_1976]

Well the 5 engineering interns here from India say that this sort of thing goes on back home...