Consumer forum may seek court ban on Pepsi, Coke

Consumer Unity and Trust Society said it would move the apex consumer court for withdrawal of soft-drinks and ban on their sale.

Accusing cola majors Pepsi and Coca Cola of trying to escape their responsibilities, a leading consumer organisation -- CUTS on Thursday said it would move the apex consumer court seeking withdrawal of soft-drinks and ban on their sale.

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Coming down heavily on the MNCs for criticising the Centre for Science and Environment that reported presence of insecticide and pesticide much above the permitted EU level in their soft-drinks, the Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) said: "consumer groups are indignant about Pepsico and Coke casting aspersions on the integrity of CSE, whose credibility is above reproach".

"When the automobile industry in India adheres to European standards why should other industries, particularly those manufacturing edible products that have a direct bearing on our health, not follow suit," CUTS secretary general Pradeep S Mehta said in a statement.

CUTS has written to the CEOs of Pepsi and Coca Cola. "If the letters meet with no response, we might take legal recourse as both the cola majors are violating not just consumers right to information and right to education but more importantly their right to safety as well," CUTS director Rajan R Gandhi said in the statement.