UNI

Bangalore, Aug 29: The Karnataka Government has filed cases against the manufacturers of Thums Up and Mirinda as samples of the soft drinks were found to contain pesticides more than the permissible level.

Speaking to newspersons here, Health and Family Welfare Minister R Ashok said the decision to file the case was taken after the samples were tested thoroughly in a laboratory. The government was also contemplating to file a case against the manufacturers of Pepsi for the same reason, he added.

He said the samples of mineral water manufactured by various companies would also be taken up for examination in due course, before taking any action against the firms.

The government had recently banned the sale of 12 soft drinks in educational institutions, government offices and hospitals following the presence of pesticides above the permitted quantity. It had also filed case against the manufacturers of Coca Cola under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act after laboratory tests confirmed presence of high level of pesticides in the soft drink.

Pesti-Cola 'Coke'-tale :

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• Bangalore: Cola Ban Evokes Mixed Reaction
• Bangalore: Colas Banned in Schools and Hospitals
• Bangalore: State Government Likely to Ban Pepsi, Cola in Schools
• Pesticide in Colas: Government Sets up Committee
• Cola Contents: Rival Lab Questions CSE Credibility
• MPs Demand Ban on Coca Cola, Pepsi
• Pesticide Cocktail in Coke, Pepsi Brands, Says Study