M A I N   N E W S

Coca Cola, Pepsi banned in Parliament
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 6
Reacting to the alarming findings of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on the presence of pesticides and insecticides in Coca Cola, Pepsi and other popular brands of aerated drinks, Lok Sabha members today demanded an immediate ban on these.

Mr E. Ahmed, Chairman of the House Food Committee, told the House that he had directed the Parliament canteen to enforce the ban on Coca Cola, Pepsi and other such aerated drinks. His announcement was hailed by the members, who were agitated over the report.

The issue was raised during zero hour by Mr Ramji Lal Suman (SP). Others who spoke on the issue were Mr Pramod Panda (CPI), Mr Anil Basu (CPI-M), Mr Ramesh Chennithala (Congress), Mr Raj Babbar (BSP), Mr Kirat Sommayya (BJP) and Mr N. Krishna Das (CPI-M).

Mr Ramji Lal Suman said the multinational companies were playing with the lives of the people.

Ms V. Saroja (AIADMK) demanded security cover for CSE Director Sunita Narain, who made the report public on Tuesday. Describing the issue as serious, Union Minister for Health Sushma Swaraj told the House that she had sought a detailed report from the departments concerned, including the Food Processing Ministry.