Coca-Cola ban in Schools, Colleges

Coca-Cola ban in Schools, Colleges

Bangalore: The Karnataka Government on Wednesday banned the sale of carbonated drinks, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Thums-up, in school, college and hostel premises with immediate effect.

Health and Family Welfare Minister R.Ashok said that a decision to ban these drinks was taken after finding that consumption of carbonated beverages resulted in Childhood obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, tooth cavity etc. Therefore, in the interest of health and well being of the children and students, the government has felt an imminent need to prevent the sale of soft drinks,” he said justifying the ban.

The latest government notification also justified that ban saying that “three soft drink companies in the USA – Pepsico, Coca-Cola and the Caburys, Schwpps, and their bottling companies have agreed to remove soft drinks for vending machines and cafeteria and schools in several states of the USA in a phased Manner.”

The notification also included a policy statement by the Pepsi Company in India. The company’s statement read: “As a matter of policy, Pepsi Company does not promote its fizzy drinks to the children below the age of 12 years an does not encourage the consumption of soft drinks in primary schools.”

It may be recalled that the Karnataka Government had imposed restriction on the sale of soft drinks within 100 meters radius of educational institutions, government offices and hospitals a few months ago. But it withdrew the notification before the High Court on technical grounds last week. Ashok said that the courts were of the opinion that the ban under the Food Adulteration Act did not come under the purview of the state governments.

Coca-Cola ban in Schools, Colleges

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