We maintain global norms: cola makers

With the Left Democratic Front liaison committee in Kerala recommending a ban on the sale of colas in the state in the light of the findings of the Centre for Science and Environment, the debate on such a clamp down on the aerated drinks is adding fizz to the whole episode.

Sensing trouble, the Indian Soft Drinks Manufacturers Association has reiterated that soft drinks, being manufactured in the country, strictly maintained all applicable national norms.

In a statement issued in Thiruvananthapuram, the ISDMA said: 'The soft drinks manufactured in India comply with stringent international norms.'

It added that over the past three years, the soft drink industry has been cooperating with the Union Health Ministry, Bureau of Indian Standards, the scientific community and NGOs to establish stringent science-based

norms.

'The efforts of the Government of India have led to the establishment of stricter norms that are on par with the best in the world. The ministry of health is in the process of developing validated testing protocols to which all members of ISDMA are fully aligned and co-operating in the process,' the association added.

The LDF liaison committee, which has sought the ban on cola sale in the state, has made the recommendations on the basis of the findings of the CSE that the soft drinks contained pesticide residue. The liaison panel meeting was presided over by state Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan.