Lambasting the cola manufacturers for not offering enough options to the Indian consumers in terms of non-caffeine soft drinks, a parliamentary panel has asked the government to reduce the present permissible limit for caffeine in such drinks.
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In its report, the joint parliamentary committee, probing allegations of pesticides in beverages, has asked the government to reduce the present limit of 200 parts per million caffeine in carbonated drinks, while wondering at the soft drink manufacturers' reluctance to offer more non-caffeine options in India.
Noting that soft drink companies are selling non-caffeinated soft drinks in every country along with the caffeinated ones, the JPC said production of non-caffeinated soft drinks in India was restricted to just three brands -- Limca, Sprite and Mazza.
"Though the soft drink manufacturers have stated that more non-caffeinated products can be made available in the country, provided there is a demand from consumers, the committee desired at least an option should be made available to consumers to choose between the two," the panel said in its report.
It said the JPC has asked the concerned ministry to consider bringing down "the present limit of 200 ppm in carbonated beverages as prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act."
The JPC report also noted that the technical drink and carbonated beverages social committee has decided to revise standards for carbonated beverages and make these more broad-based.
"In its report the technical committee has advocated restricting the use of caffeine in carbonated beverages, as has already been done by some countries like Australia and China. They have also desired that the label on caffeinated beverages must include advisory statements to the effect that the beverage contains caffeine and the same is not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women and individuals sensitive to caffeine," it said.
The panel has said that this recommendation should be implemented after a scientific study of ill-effects of caffeine on human health.
