PepsiCo Pesticide Allegations in India

PepsiCo faced allegations regarding pesticide levels in its beverages in India, primarily stemming from research conducted by an environmental organization in New Delhi. This organization claimed that the pesticide levels in PepsiCo's products, as well as those of its competitor Coca-Cola, exceeded the safety standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The allegations emerged during two significant instances of public scrutiny, first in 2003 and again in 2006. In response to these claims, PepsiCo denied the allegations, asserting that the data presented by the organization was flawed. The Indian health ministry also supported PepsiCo's stance, questioning the validity of the research conducted by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), which had not undergone external peer review. The controversy surrounding these allegations led to a temporary ban on the sale of PepsiCo and Coca-Cola products in Kerala, which was later overturned by the Kerala High Court after a month, allowing the companies to resume operations in the state. This incident highlighted the ongoing concerns regarding food safety and regulatory standards in India, as well as the challenges multinational corporations face in navigating local environmental and health regulations.