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CSE tells JPC pesticide content in soft drinks harmful
New Delhi, Oct 10: The director of the Centre for Science and Environment, Sunita Narayan today told the JPC that the pesticide level in water for soft drinks in India was high and could have adverse effects on human beings, even as the committee chairman Sharad Pawar said there was a need to check the veracity of the findings of CSE.
New Delhi, Oct 10: The director of the Centre for Science and Environment, Sunita Narayan today told the JPC that the pesticide level in water for soft drinks in India was high and could have adverse effects on human beings, even as the committee chairman Sharad Pawar said there was a need to
check the veracity of the findings of CSE.
"We have to see whether the recent findings of the CSE regarding pesticide levels (in soft drinks) are correct or not,” Pawar told reporters after a two and a half hour meeting of the JPC on pesticide residues in soft drinks and other products containing water.
Pawar did not rule out calling the officials of the soft drink multinationals such as Pepsi and Coke for deposition, saying the "JPC had no hesitation in meeting them". He said it was possible that the delegation of trade chambers -- FICCI and CII -- which will also be called for the hearing will consist of representatives from the soft drink industry.
Pawar said the CSE director told the JPC that "there is a need to have a stringent policy for safe use of pesticides in India as they presented a strong hazard for human beings".
She said that the use of water in bottled water as well as soft drinks industry was not regulated and the CSE desired that standards for food items in regard to residue pesticides should be below allowable daily intake.
Pawar, however, said the presentation given by the CSE was "impressive" and it was "pragmatic" for fruit juice and other agricultural products.
Bureau Report
Pawar did not rule out calling the officials of the soft drink multinationals such as Pepsi and Coke for deposition, saying the "JPC had no hesitation in meeting them". He said it was possible that the delegation of trade chambers -- FICCI and CII -- which will also be called for the hearing will consist of representatives from the soft drink industry.
Pawar said the CSE director told the JPC that "there is a need to have a stringent policy for safe use of pesticides in India as they presented a strong hazard for human beings".
She said that the use of water in bottled water as well as soft drinks industry was not regulated and the CSE desired that standards for food items in regard to residue pesticides should be below allowable daily intake.
Pawar, however, said the presentation given by the CSE was "impressive" and it was "pragmatic" for fruit juice and other agricultural products.
Bureau Report