Kerala govt moves court against colas

Two months after a state-wide ban on Coca-Cola and Pepsi was quashed by the Kerala High Court, authorities have filed cases against the soft drink giants alleging that some of their products contain traces of pesticides.

The petitions filed on Thursday in a court here by a food inspector of the state health department said laboratory tests of samples seized from distributors in this city had found that they contained pesticide elements.

The case was filed on the basis of tests of samples collected three months ago, shortly before the state government had banned the sale of soft drinks.

The petitions, filed under Section 20 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, named authorities of Pepsico India Holding and Coca Cola as respondents.

The Left Democratic Front government in Kerala banned production and sale of Coca-Cola and Pepsi products in August but it was quashed by the High Court in September.