Kochi: The Kerala High Court refused to stay the state government's order banning the products of soft drink giants Pepsi and Coca-Cola on Friday.
The multinational companies had in separate petitions on Aug 18 challenged the ban imposed by the state government on aerated drinks. On Aug 21 a single-judge bench had refused to do stay the ban and referred the matter to a division bench.
While declining a stay, the division bench of the court admitted the petitions and posted them for further hearing on Sep 11. Despite several pleas by counsel for the soft drink companies, it said no further action could be taken until the matter was heard in more detail.
The Kerala government had on Aug 9 banned the manufacture and sale of the soft drinks in the state after tests by the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment showed high quantities of pesticides in 12 branded samples.
In their petitions, the cola giants pointed out that their products were safe and no scientific studies had shown any harmful contents. Both Pepsi and Coke have bottling plants in Palakkad district.
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