Sugar and spice

The health ministry's pesticide residue sub-committee was entrusted the job of fixing a pesticide residue standard for soft drinks. The committee, in March 2004, called "stakeholders' for discussions. Interestingly, for this health ministry sub-committee the only worthy stakeholders were industry. Of the 21 invited, only five responded and only two made written submissions. The five who made presentations were Coca-Cola India, PepsiCo India, the Indian Soft Drink Manufacturers Association (again represented by PepsiCo India), the International Soft Drink Council, All India Food Processors Association and Kali Aerated Water Works