BANGALORE: Taking a cue from the Left-run Government in Kerala, the Karnataka Government is mulling over a total ban on aerated soft drinks in the State.

"The Government is seeking legal opinion on imposing the ban on aerated drinks in the State," Minister of Health R. Ashok told presspersons on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, he held discussions with Advocate-General Uday Holla.

Kerala ban

On August 9, Kerala Chief Minister V.S Achuthanandan announced a ban on production and distribution of Coca Cola and Pepsi products. The move could force both the soft drink majors to shut down each of their factories in that State.

Karnataka has slapped a case against Coca-Cola at the small cause court after it found high amounts of pesticide content in samples of the beverages it tested at an independent laboratory. It has planned to take similar action against Thums Up and Mirinda. Reports of nine other brands of aerated drinks are expected shortly.

Mr. Ashok said the Health Department found that despite ban on sale of 11 brands of aerated drinks within the radius of 100 metres from schools and colleges, some shops continued to sell them. He warned that stringent action would be initiated against those who flouted the directive. Managements of educational institutions have by and large welcomed the ban.

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