Кока-Кола і Пепсі виграли судовий позов проти повної заборони на продаж їхніх напоїв у південному індійському штаті Керала. Вони успішно оскаржили в суді звинувачення, ніби їхні продукти містять шкідливі хімічні речовини. Джон Садворт повідомляє:

Послухати репортаж

The complete ban on the production and sale of Coca-Cola and Pepsi in Kerala was the toughest action taken by any Indian state in response to the allegations of pesticide contamination. It was introduced in early August following a report by an Indian campaign group, the Centre for Science and Environment, which claimed the drinks they tested contained harmful traces of chemicals.

The ban shut off a market of thirty-million potential customers in the south of the country and reinforced the negative publicity facing the soft drinks giants. But Coca-Cola and Pepsi went to court, arguing that the communist state government acted outside of its powers and that the prohibition was harsh and unfair.

The Kerala High Court has now found in favour of the two companies, ruling that only the central government has the power to ban food products. Coca-Cola and Pepsi also dispute the evidence on which the ban was based, saying they can verify that the ingredients they use conform to the highest purity standards.

John Sudworth, BBC Correspondent, Delhi

Послухати слова

allegations
твердження, недоведені заяви

pesticide contamination
зараження пестицидами

traces
невеликі кількості

potential
потенційні, ймовірні

reinforced
посилив, зміцнив

prohibition
заборона

dispute the evidence
заперечують правдивість доказів

verify
доводити

conform to the highest purity standards
відповідають найвищим стандартам чистоти