Coca-Cola India will look at launching more carbonated drinks with fruit juices, once the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) finalises guidelines for the category.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier urged cola companies to mix fruit juices in aerated drinks to help distressed farmers.

However, carbonated fruit beverages are not defined under existing guidelines, and there are no standards for the industry to go by.

Last month, the FSSAI released a draft notification, defining “carbonated fruit beverages or carbonated fruit drinks” as those where the juice content is below 10 per cent but not less than 5 per cent (and not less than 2.5 per cent in case of lime and lemon juice). It has sought industry’s views.

Venkatesh Kini, President, Coca-Cola India and South-West Asia, said the industry is now working with the FSSAI on norms for the carbonated fruit beverages category.

“The draft is in circulation. Once these get notified industry players will be able to decide on such products. We have already launched Fanta with green mango but it is still defined as juice, since it contains 10 per cent mango juice,” he said.

The company is now looking at ways to optimise this and make fizzy juice products across its factories. “We are definitely working on this platform and may launch some products next year,” Kini added.

Supply chain He added that the company already has a strong indigenised supply chain for sourcing fruits and will be leveraging it for aerated products.

Replying to a query on the industry’s concerns on rural demand, Kini said: “Rural demand for consumer products is still soft. But we are optimistic that with a good monsoon, we may see an uptick by Diwali.”

Earlier this year, Coca-Cola India had also entered the value-added dairy segment with flavoured milk brand Vio.

The company is gradually expanding its reach and also has new variants on the cards.

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