Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006
Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006 |
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Marketing - Standards & Benchmarks Government - Policy Industry & Economy - Health No conclusive evidence of cola pesticides: Govt Our Bureau
RESPITE FOR COLAS: Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, Union Health & Family Welfare Minister
New Delhi , Aug. 22
The cola majors got a respite with the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mr A. Ramadoss, today informing the Lok Sabha that an expert committee constituted by his Ministry has found that the Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) report on `pesticides residue in soft drinks' does not provide conclusive evidence for presence of different pesticides in the aerated beverages. The Ministry had constituted an expert committee on August 4 to examine the report of the CSE. After reviewing all aspects, including methodology adopted by the CSE, the committee said the CSE report does not provide details required for the confirmatory interpretation of quantum results and the residue data reported is inconclusive.
More details sought
"In view of the above inconsistencies, the Ministry has sought further details from the CSE," Mr Ramadoss informed the House. Besides, the Ministry has already issued directions to State and Central Laboratories to lift samples of carbonated drinks and packaged drinking water to test them. A total of 213 samples were lifted from 14 States and dispatched for testing. Testing report was received from Gujarat, he said, adding that of 28 samples analysed, none of the samples has shown any presence of pesticides. A report from Central Food Laboratory, Mysore, in respect of two samples of water and carbonated drinks each has shown that pesticide levels are below the statutory limits, the Minister said.
Not Surprising: CSE
Reacting to the statement, Ms Sunita Narain, Director CSE, said: "We are not surprised. This is the same Ministry which had blocked the standards for carbonated beverages that had been finalised by the Bureau of Indian Standards from being notified." "The Health Ministry has specialised in setting up committee after committee, without any outcome... . This is clearly a convenient ruse for the industry, but it is inconvenient for us and our health," she said.
Related Stories: More Stories on : Beverages | Standards & Benchmarks | Policy | Health
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