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Saturday, Aug 05, 2006

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CSE report: statement on Monday

Special Correspondent

"Ministry contemplating awareness campaign "

NEW DELHI: Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry on Friday received the report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on the presence of high quantity of pesticides in soft drinks.

"We sought the report from the CSE and have received it. We are now in the process of studying it," Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told reporters here. He said he would make a statement in Parliament on Monday on the steps being taken by the Ministry in this connection.

Dr. Ramadoss also indicated that the Ministry was contemplating an awareness campaign against the consumption of carbonated soft drinks and junk food in the wake of the latest CSE report. He reiterated that junk food were detrimental to the health, particularly of children.

Random samples

The Ministry has also sought reports from the State Government of randomly lifted samples for testing of locally made soft drinks and all other food products, including packaged food items. "This had been recommended by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report and we asked the States to carry out the random testing about a year ago to ascertain whether they conformed to the stipulated norms, and have now sought the reports," he said.

Members in the Lok Sabha on Thursday sought a ban on Coca Cola and Pepsi following the CSE report. They also demanded a statement from the Government on the action being taken by the Government.

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