The Hindu Business Line : Banning colas

Many of the big cola companies have very strict quality control standards. If, however, they are selling soft drinks with pesticide content above acceptable and legal limits, they should be prosecuted and the soft drinks banned.

One wonders, does this rule also apply to some essentials, such as the municipal supply of water and milk, vegetables and fruits that are sold in the market? There is more danger to public health from many of these. Municipal water supplied through rusted pipes in many places is a notorious health hazard. Milk supplied by big dairies often contains not only disease causing bacteria but also harmful metal elements. The use of pesticides and fungicides by farmers always leaves much of the residue in vegetables and fruits.

Yet the government authorities have not taken any action. In all the above cases, scientists should be asked to come up with norms that meet international standards. These norms have to be observed by all government agencies, municipal authorities, private companies and farmers.

Those who violate them should not be allowed to continue and be punished according to law. Currently, bottled water and soft drinks are safer to drink than tap water.

K.Venkataraman

Mumbai

Letters to the editor and contributions can be sent by e-mail to: bleditor@thehindu.co.in

More Stories on : Letters | Beverages | Standards & Benchmarks

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Urban chaos

Residual problem

Can a general meeting be cancelled?

Some vesting issues in share-based payments

Valuation thriller

When a mega merger runs into rough weather

Is West ready to open the labour market?

Lessons from l'affaire Natwar Singh

Banning colas