Question : PESTICIDE INSECTICIDE IN SOFT DRINKS

(a) whether pesticide/insecticide andsome other banned substances including Heptachlor have been found in soft/colddrinks in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof during eachof the last three years and current year andthe action taken against the manufacturersof such soft/cold drinks;

(c) whether the Government has issuedcertain directions/guidelines to all States/UTs and Central Government Food Laboratories to monitor the level of pesticides and take samples of carbonatedwater and water used in manufacturing ofcarbonated drinks by the soft drinkcompanies as per Prevention of FoodAdulteration (PFA) Rules, 1955 and if so,the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has laiddown any regulation/provision regarding presence and retention time ofChlorphyrifos and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the fresh measures taken/proposedto be taken by the Government to ensure the compliance of regulation/provision bycold/soft drink manufacturers?

THE MINISTER OF HEATH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a): No.

(b): Does not arise.

(c): Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 has been repealed w.e.f. 5th August 2011. The implementation of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 hascommenced from that date. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued guidelines and requested all States and UTs to conduct periodic inspection and surveillance every 3 months initially for major fruits and vegetables markets, soft drinks and Ready to Serve Fruit Beverages as per Hon’ble Supreme Court Order dated 22.10.2013 in the matter- Writ petition No. 681 of 2004-Centre for Public Interest Litigation v/s Union of India.

(d): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India only fixes the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) as per Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011. The amount of Chlorphyrifosshall not exceed the tolerance limit prescribed in column 4 of Table at point No. 29 under 2.3.1 (2) of the said regulation.

(e): The implementation and enforcement of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 rests with State/UTs Government. Random Samples of food items including carbonated drinks are being drawn by the State Food Safety Officers and sent to the laboratories recognized by FSSAI for analysis. In case where samples are found to be not conforming to the provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder, penal action is taken against the offender.