PepsiCo withdraws case against CSE

PepsI withdrew its plea against CSE, which reported high pesticide content in its soft drinks.

PepsiCo on Tuesday withdrew its petition against green watchdog Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which had reported high pesticide content in its soft drinks earlier this year.

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Pepsi also affirmed its faith in the joint parliamentary panel that is probing the issue.

Judge BD Ahmed declared Pepsi's petition dismissed as withdrawn.

Ahmed had earlier asked the government to perform laboratory tests on samples of Pepsi's products in the interest of public health.

Pepsi had filed its petition in August after CSE reported higher than prescribed levels of pesticides in a dozen branded soft drinks manufactured by Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

Pepsi challenged CSE's right to conduct the study and termed the report dubious and irresponsible.

It reportedly withdrew its petition after a CSE counter affidavit filed on Monday contended Pepsi's case was misleading and false.

The company said it had "great respect and full faith" in the joint parliamentary panel and believed it would be in the interest of justice to present its case before it.