Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan on Wednesday said that both Coca-Cola and Pepsi had been asked to wind up their operations in the state with immediate effect.
"We have arrived at the decision to ask both Coke and Pepsi to stop production and distribution of all their products, based on scientific studies which have proved that they are harmful," Achuthanandan said after the weekly cabinet meeting.
The decision came after the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Sunday urged the state government to ban the sale of soft drinks Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the state.
"The ban comes with immediate effect and the state health minister has been asked to see that it is implemented. It has been decided to ban all their products," said the Chief Minister.
Pepsi and Coke have bottling plants in Palakkad district and were given the permission to commence production when the LDF under EK Nayanar ruled the state between 1996-2001.
In reply to a question on whether the state government would ban tobacco products also because they are also harmful, he said, "Right now, we have decided only on Coke and Pepsi".
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