Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

The CSE's findings

The latest finding of the Centre for Science and Environment, revealing the high levels of pesticide residue in soft drinks, shows that it is not only the cola companies that cheat the people. Mega stars who endorse the drinks are equally to blame.

The stars, it seems, have no qualms about taking advantage of their fans to make money.

Nadia Ahmad,
New Delhi

* * *

One recalls news reports in 2004 that Coke and Pepsi were used in their pure form or in combination with traditional non-chemical anti-pest concoctions by farmers in several districts of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh with impressive results in controlling pests in chilli and cotton fields. It is indeed unfortunate that people pour the drinks on the ground while protesting. There are many non-potable uses for them. With their citric and phosphoric acid content, colas have been found good for polishing silver and brass artefacts.

D.V. Subramanian,
Chennai

* * *

I would like to thank PepsiCo for telling us that pesticide levels in soft drinks are negligible when compared to the levels in tea and other food products such as eggs, rice, apple, and milk products.

Well, cows and hens cannot demand pesticide-free fodder but we as citizens of a democratic country have the right to demand clean air and water. On another plane, the Government and bureaucrats responsible for regulating the issues of public health and safety standardisation have failed miserably in their duty making it convenient for the multinationals to point out that the products we consume every day are not safe either. The Government should implement stringent norms for the soft drink industry.

Bhoopinder Singh,
New Delhi

* * *

The cola controversy points to how the indiscriminate use of pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers has contaminated our water and soil. There are virtually no cereals, vegetables, and fruits without pesticide residue. Milch animals are fed instant feeds for want of pasture land. Pasture lands exist only in revenue records. In reality, most of them have been encroached on.

The pioneers of the Green Revolution failed to forecast the ultimate impact of chemical agriculture. Consumer movements should pressure the Government to encourage organic farming practices.

R. Ponnambalam,
Nagercoil, T.N.

* * *

The presence of pesticides in almost all food items is no reason to absolve the cola companies of their recklessness.

V. Sudharson,
Chennai

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Besides banning aerated drinks contaminated with pesticides, it is essential to educate the public against their consumption.

C. Lakshmi Prasanna,
Hyderabad

* * *

The hue and cry raised over the quality of soft drinks consumed by the affluent section of society is uncalled for. Are we sure that ordinary drinking water consumed by the common man is free from health hazards? The CSE would do well to carry out an in-depth study of the quality of drinking water and bring the findings to the notice of the authorities concerned for prompt remedial action.

A. Saratchandran Menon,
Chennai

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The Centre's lukewarm response to the issue strengthens the speculation that it is under pressure from the powerful multinationals. The way our media are going about the issue, it would appear that the beverage manufacturers are deliberately adding pesticides to the drinks. What if the toxic chemicals are already present in the water used for preparing the soft drinks?

V. Venkatasubramanian,
Mumbai

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