New Delhi, Sept 22: The Delhi High Court today deferred till October 28 hearing on a petition by Pepsi challenging the controversial report of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) alleging high presence of pesticides in soft drinks. Justice B D Ahmed adjourned the matter after CSE and Pepsi sought more time to file response and rejoinders.

The matter was fixed for hearing as the court had on August 11 directed the government to submit the report by conducting laboratory test on the samples of Pepsi's product. Pepsico India Holdings Pvt Ltd and its bottler had petitioned for independent test in a laboratory which had the required facilities for the purpose contending that the CSE laboratory had no accreditation and the method adopted in preparing the report was unreliable.

The CSE report had said seven of Pepsi's products contained pesticides above the permitted level as compared to the same products in European Union. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was also set up to look into the issue.

The committee has been asked to suggest criteria for evolving suitable safety standards for soft drinks, fruit juices and other beverages where water is the main constituent.

Bureau Report