Bangalore: Karnataka Government has banned the sale of carbonated drinks near 2,000-odd temples in the State with immediate effect.

With this, the State Government has extended its ban on aerated drinks in educational institutions, hospitals, both Government and private, as the colas were found to contain pesticides beyond the prescribed limit.

Commissioner for Religious and Charitable Endowments T. Sham Bhat told The Hindu on Saturday that all the 13 aerated drinks banned by the State Government near educational institutions have been banned in shops and establishments in or within a radius of 100 feet of temples. This included shops and establishments taken on lease or auction by traders from the department, Mr. Bhat said.

Cases likely

The Government, after filing a case against Coca-Cola under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, will file similar cases against Thums Up and Mirinda.

Director of Health and Family Welfare M.G. Prasad told The Hindu that the two cases would be filed at the Small Causes Court on Monday.

Karnataka is the first state to file a case against a soft drink firm while Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Punjab have partially banned the sale of soft drinks. The State Government had sent samples of 12 soft drinks to laboratory for testing.

The results with regard to three soft drinks, Coca-Cola, Thums Up and Mirinda, revealed that the drinks contained pesticides beyond the prescribed limits. The results in the case of the remaining nine soft drinks are expected by the end of next week.

Coca-Cola's stand

Coca-Cola India, in an official statement, said it was surprised by the State Government's action but maintained that its soft drinks were safe.

"All our products are safe. We regularly monitor the quality and safety of our products and the samples are tested in reputed and accredited national and international laboratories. The samples drawn as recently as August 3, 2006 from Karnataka have been tested at VIMTA labs, Hyderabad, " the release added.

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