India rejects cola health fears

Six Indian states have announced complete or partial bans

India's health ministry has rejected the findings of an environmental group which has reported high levels of pesticides in Coca Cola and Pepsi.

Ministry scientists said they had found inconsistencies in the information presented by the group, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

The CSE accused the government of being more concerned about the health of business than the health of the people.

The allegations have led the drinks to be banned in a number of Indian states.

Pepsi and Coke have defended the safety of their products, which are bottled locally.

Six Indian states have announced partial or complete bans on the soft drinks after claims that the drinks contain harmful pesticides.

Severe reaction

The ban by the states is the most severe reaction to a report released recently by CSE. It said tests carried out on samples of the drinks across 12 Indian states revealed dangerously high levels of pesticides.

Both Coca Cola and Pepsi have disputed the report's findings, saying their drinks meet international safety standards.

In 2003, the Indian parliament upheld a similar report by the NGO, alleging that soft drinks sold by the two companies in India contained pesticides.

It recommended that India set purity standards for soft drinks.

But three years later, the government is yet to act on the recommendation.