Soft drink industry to talk with M'rashtra over ban

The state government had imposed the ban following a report by the Food and Drugs Administration.

The Indian Soft Drink Manufacturing Association on Monday said it planned to initiate dialogue with Maharashtra Government following ban on the sale of soft drinks in schools in the state.

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"We have not received any communication relating to sale of soft drinks in schools in Maharashtra from the state government. Going forward we plan to initiate a dialogue with the concerned officials to clarify all their concerns, if any," the association said in a statement in New Delhi.

The state government had imposed the ban following a report by the Food and Drugs Administration, which said soft drinks were bad for health and children were drinking too much of it.

Commenting on the ban, the association said, "the Indian Beverage Industry has always recognised that schools are a very special place."

"Our Industry listens closely to parents and local school officials, and ensures that the range of beverages sold in their schools reflects their wishes."

The industry is always listening to the concerns, needs and preferences of its consumers of all ages and provides a wide range of products, including juices, sports drinks, diet drink, tea, coffee and packaged water in addition to carbonated soft drinks, it added.