CSE report not conclusive: Govt

Health Minister Ramadoss says there is no solid evidence of presence of hazardous level of pesticides in soft drink samples.

The Union Health Ministry has asked state governments and Central Food Laboratories to take samples of carbonated water and water used in the manufacture of carbonated water for checking pesticide residues.

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In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said that an expert committee had reviewed the claim of pesticide residues in soft drinks by the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE).

"The conclusion of the expert committee is that CSE's report does not provide conclusive evidence for presence of different pesticides in the concentration reported," he said.

He said that the CSE report did not provide details required for the confirmatory interpretation of quantum results. "In view of inconsistencies, CSE has been asked to provide further data."

"For monitoring the level of pesticides in carbonated water being sold in the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has already issued directions to all state governments and Central Food Laboratories to take samples of carbonated water as well as the water used in the manufacture of carbonated water for checking quality parameters including pesticide residues," he said.

Provision already exists for drawing regular samples of food products from manufacturers, retailers etc under the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954.