Toxic effluents from plants, WB pins Coke, Pepsi

The West Bengal government today fired a salvo at the two soft drink multinationals, already in the eye of a storm regarding pesticide conte...

The West Bengal government today fired a salvo at the two soft drink multinationals, already in the eye of a storm regarding pesticide contents in their drinks, accusing them of severely damaging the state’s environment of the state.

In a press conference at his office at Writers’ Buildings, IT and Environment Minister Manab Mukherjee announced that reports of tests on liquid effluents released by three bottling plants of Coke and one of Pepsi show they contain toxic metals, cadmium and lead.

Coke is the guiltier of the two for while the permissible level of cadmium content is 50 mg/kg, its Kolkata plant has 76 mg/kg while Dankuni plant has 80 mg/kg. ‘‘We have demanded an explanation from them before taking any decision on their fate,’’ state minister Manab Mukherjee said. ‘‘None of the units had declared in their consent application about process inputs containing these toxic metals lead or cadmium. They are guilty of suppressing information,’’ the minister said.

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Mukherjee wants the Central Pollution Control Board to help contain this menace. ‘‘Almost every state has bottling plants so the central board should come forward to stop this,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Coke said it had got its sludge tested at SGS laboratory in Kolkata and the report was okay. ‘‘In our case, it (cadmium content) was just 10,’’ N. R. Goenka, MD, Diamond Beverages Ltd, the Coke franchise at Kolkata, said.

‘‘I can’t understand how the pollution control board got it as 76. However, if there is something like cadmium or any other toxic metal present, we will ensure that we check it,’’ he further said.

Coke, Pepsi banned in govt guest houses, canteens

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala govt has decided to ban Coca-Cola and Pepsi in govt guest houses. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.M. Hassan said neither Coca-Cola nor Pepsi would be served at parties thrown by the government. He added the softdrinks would also not be sold at govt canteens.

Orissa wakes up to cola reality, orders tests

BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa government has ordered to go in for fresh tests of the soft-drink samples. The Health Department has ordered collection of samples of these brands from the bottling plants as well as from market. (ENS)