Financial Times - Southern Indian court temporarily upholds ban on drinks made by Coke and Pepsi

Southern Indian court temporarily upholds ban on drinks made by Coke and Pepsi

COCHIN-The High Court in the southern Indian state of Kerala on Friday temporarily upheld a ban on production of soft drinks by the Indian subsidiaries of Coca Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc.

Kerala banned sale and production of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks after a New Delhi-based environment group said earlier this month that the products contain high levels of pesticides.

Coca Cola India and PepsiCo India both of which operate bottling plants in Kerala have challenged the ban in the state's High Court and on Friday, they sought the court's permission to continue production until judges deliver their verdict in the case.

But the court said, in a written order, that the prohibition will stand until it hears the case on Sept. 11.

While Kerala has imposed a total ban on the soft drinks, six other states have banned the beverages at schools, hospitals and government offices.

Coke and Pepsi officials were not immediately available for comment.

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