Criticism of Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Company, its subsidiaries and products have been subject to sustained criticism by both consumer groups and watchdogs, particularly since the early 2000s. Allegations against the company are varied and criticism has been based around; possible health effects of CocaCola products, questionable labour practices (including allegations of involvement with paramilitary organisations in suppression of trade unions), the company's poor environmental record, perception of the companies engagement in monopolistic business practices, questionable marketing strategies and violations of intellectual property rights. Perception of the company as behaving unethically has led to the formation of pressure groups such as "Killer Coke", boycotts of Coca-Cola and related products and lawsuits.

Health effects
Numerous court cases have been filed against the Coca-Cola Company since the 1940s alleging that the acidity of the drink is dangerous. In some of these cases, evidence has been presented showing Coca-Cola is no more harmful than comparable soft drinks or acidic fruit juices. Frequent exposure of teeth to acidic drinks increases the risk of tooth damage through dental erosion. This form of tooth decay is unrelated to dental caries High fructose corn syrup

High fructose corn syrup was rapidly introduced in many processed foods and soda drinks in the US over the period of about 19751985. Since 1985 in the U.S., Coke has been made with high fructose corn syrup instead of sucrose to reduce costs. One of the reasons this has come under criticism is because the corn used to produce corn syrup often comes from genetically altered plants. Some nutritionists also caution against consumption of high fructose corn syrup because of possible links to obesity and diabetes. High fructose corn syrup has been shown to be metabolized differently than sugar by the human body. This causes problems with Coke's distribution and bottling network, because specific franchise districts are guaranteed an exclusive market area for Coke products. Mexican-made Coca-Cola may often be found for sale in stores catering to the Hispanic immigrant community. Kosher for Passover Coke is also made with cane sugar, rather than corn syrup, due to the special dietary restrictions for observant Jews. Some Orthodox Jews do not consume corn during the holiday. Bottled with yellow caps, this variant can be found in some areas of the US around

Environmental issues
In India, there exists widespread concern over how Coca-Cola is produced. In particular, it is feared that the water used to produce Coke may contain unhealthy levels of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. It has also been alleged that due to the amount of water required to produce Coca-Cola, aquifers are drying up and forcing farmers to relocate. Pesticide use In 2003, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE),[11][12] a non-governmental organisation in New Delhi, said aerated waters produced by soft drinks manufacturers in India, including multinational giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, contained toxins including lindane, DDT, malathion and chlorpyrifos pesticides that can contribute to cancer and a breakdown of the immune system. Tested products included Coke, Pepsi, and several other soft drinks (7Up, Mirinda, Fanta, Thums Up, Limca, Sprite), many produced by The Coca-Cola Company. CSE found that the Indian produced Pepsi's soft drink products had 36 times the level of pesticide residues permitted under European Union regulations; Coca Cola's 30 times. CSE said it had tested the same products in the US and found no such residues. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo angrily denied allegations that their products manufactured in India contained toxin levels far above the norms permitted in the developed world. David Cox, Coke's Hong Kong-based communications director for Asia, accused Sunita Narain, CSE's director, of "brandjacking" using Coke's brand name to draw attention to her campaign against pesticides. Narain defended CSE's actions by describing them as a natural follow-up to a previous study it did on bottled water. In 2004, an Indian parliamentary committee backed up CSE's findings, and a government-appointed committee was tasked with developing the world's first pesticide standards for soft drinks. Coke and PepsiCo oppose the move, arguing that lab tests aren't reliable enough to detect minute traces of pesticides in complex drinks like soda. The Coca-Cola Company has responded that its plants filter water to remove potential contaminants and that its products are tested for pesticides and must meet minimum health standards before they are distributed. Coca-Cola had registered a 11 percent drop in sales after the pesticide allegations were made in 2003. As of 2005, Coke and Pepsi together hold 95% market share of soft-drink sales in India. In 2006, the Indian state of Kerala banned the sale and production of Coca-Cola, along with other soft drinks, due to concerns of high levels of pesticide residueOn Friday, September 22, 2006, the High

Court in Kerala overturned the Kerala ban ruling that only the federal government can ban food products. Water use Environmental degradation in the form of depletion of the local ground water table due to the utilisation of natural water resources by the company poses a serious threat to many communities. In March 2004, local officials in Kerala shut down a $16 million Coke bottling plant blamed for a drastic decline in both quantity and quality of water available to local farmers and villagers. In April 2005, Kerala's highest court rejected water use claims, noting that wells there continued to dry up last summer, months after the local Coke plant stopped operating. Further, a scientific study requested by the court found that while the plant had "aggravated the water scarcity situation," the "most significant factor" was a lack of rainfall. Critics respond that Coke shouldn't be locating bottling plants in drought-stricken areas. In Plachimada, Coca-Cola is allegedly responsible for creating problems for communities by creating severe water shortages and polluting the groundwater and soil, destroying farms by draining them out completely. The plant here used about 900,000 liters of water last year, about a third of it for the soft drinks, the rest to clean bottles and machinery. It is drawn from wells at the plant but also from aquifers Coca-Cola shares with neighboring farmers. The water is virtually free to all users. These farmers who have been protesting say their problems began after the CocaCola factory arrived in 1999. The company has been trying to regain the plant's license, fighting a case that has gone all the way to India's Supreme Court. Near the holy city of Varanasi in northeastern India, a local water official blames a Coke plant which has been the scene of many protests by NGOs and local residents for polluting groundwater by releasing wastewater into surrounding land. A Coke official confirms there had been a drainage problem with treated wastewater several years ago but says the company built a long pipeline to correct it. Indian environmental activist Vandana Shiva has stated that it takes nine litres of clean water to manufacture a litre of Coke though Coca-Cola says it is only an average of 3.12 litres. India Coca-Cola's operations in India have come under intense scrutiny as many communities are experiencing severe water shortages as well as contaminated groundwater and soil that some assertare a result of Coca-Cola's bottling operations. A massive movement has emerged across India to hold the Coca-Cola company accountable for its actions. The state of Kerala imposed a ban of colas from the state only to be quashed by Coca Cola; the matter is pending in the supreme court. The Plachimada plant in Kerala state, one of Coca-Cola's largest bottling facilities in India, has remained shut for 17

months now because the village council has refused to renew its license, blaming the company for causing water shortages and pollution. In Sivaganga District of Tamil Nadu state there were several protests and rallies opposing the proposed Coca Cola bottling plant in fear of water depletion and contamination. The president of the Gangaikondan panchayat, Mr. V. Kamson died under mysterious circumstances two days after going back and forth in his resentment against the upcoming Coca-cola bottling plant in the village. When asked about the conflicting statements, he said: "I am under immense pressure from the public, police and other quarters. So I have issued this statement." Five other Indian states have announced partial bans on the drinks in schools, colleges and hospitals.

Aayush :- It is up to the citizens of India. I heard that Coca Cola factories in India are highly infested with mice and roaches. They also found high levels of pesticide in Coke. Working conditions are horrible there, too Personally I don't think it should be banned. Coca Cola should clean up their factories in India and improve the working condition there. If no improvement is made then it should definitely be banned/boycott from India Vikrant:- No coco cola should not banned from India, But these drinks are always require a vigil and a frequent check up. Sample is to be taken by the authorized Officers and to be tasted in the laboratories periodically. Priyank:- yes it should be banned. but if on the contrary i must say even knowing that it contains pesticides, some demand might fall, but by passage of time people start reaccepting it. so, it's govt. responsibility to put it under total ban. Sushil:- Yes, Coca Cola, Pepsi and all the other fizzy soft drinks should be banned. They have absolutely no nutritional value and are a big drain on the purse and on health. Check this out, I got this info from a friend:

In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the truck to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.* 2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke/Pepsi and it will be gone in two days.* 3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola/Pepsiinto the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke/Pepsi removes stains from vitreous China.* 4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola/Pepsi. 5. To clean corrosion from car battery* terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola/Pepsi over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion* 6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola/Pepsi to the rusted bolt for several minutes.* 7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola/Pepsi into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke/Pepsi for sumptuous brown gravy.* 8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke/Pepsi into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola/Pepsi will help loosen grease stains.* 9. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.* For Your Info:* 1. The active ingredient in Coke/Pepsi is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days.* Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase in osteoporosis.* 2. To carry Coca-Cola/Pepsi syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.* 3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean the engines of their trucks for about 20 ! years!* Now the question is...*Would you like a Coke/Pepsi or a glass of water?* Dhyaani :- 1. Drinking water contains more pesticide. 2. Coca cola and limca are better than pepsi drinks. 3. What are other cold drinks better than coca cola? 4. Tea and coffe are more harmful for health. 5. First ban alcohol and tobacco. 6. Biscuits, toffees and other packaged foods are more contaminated even roadside vendors spread more diseases. 7. Banning is not a solution, some guidelines could be mad govt ppl are going crazy here in India .now it's gone to the extent of ban of smoking scenes in movies . nothing should be banned but creating awareness will help Pratham :- Coca Cola should be banned from everywhere. Theyre producing garbage and getting

paid huge amounts of money for it...and, not to mention....targeting our youth. No.It will make no difference. People would drink Pepsi . If you ban Pepsi some other MNC will set up shop. Public will flock to the soft-drink giants. Banning Coke will just result in a renewed demand for it. Health Hazards are always thrown to the winds. People still puff cigarettes despite the numerous warnings. Suchita :- I personally believe that ALL fizzy harmful drinks should be banned. They are terrible specially for the kids who are totally addicted to them. Indians should drink Ganna juice...thats yummmmmmmmmmy :-) Shiv :- yes to every such soft drinks! as they are selling rs.1.25/- bottle for rs.10/- by brainwashing advertising bombarding on general people and emotionally forcing them to try it ! govt ppl are going crazy here in india .now it's gone to the extent of ban of smokin scenes in movies . nothing should be banned but creating awareness will help Shatrughan : Coca Cola is Harmful. yes it is necessary to ban coca cola in INDIA as people are not drinking coke but pesticides that are used to kill insects.

Siddharth no its not necessary to ban coco cola in India..it depend on your intake because reality is that we all like these kind of drinks either they r safe or not(pesticide) they shouldn't be banned but must not be adulterated while manufacturing other options are u can go for fruit juice. Don't find the necessity to ban. people can limit the intake of such fizzy drinks.
Komal :- I know a person that loves coca cola but everytime he drinks it his joints swell up and his arthritis becomes unmanagable. From initially putting cocaine in coco cola to the crap they put in it now, is criminal on all fronts. Yes, I totally agree that Coca Cola kills people and affects their major organs without people knowing what they are doing to themselves. I agree it should be banned. Ekta :- It is really shocking. Yes, they must be banned. If we tell these people to control they will somehow find loop holes and buy any level of politicians. So, they must be legally banned. Swati:- Yes, for healthy reason, the juices can be support more. These are not best for health or also not quench the thirst, it is just for symbol status. Pinal :- NO. After all this issue crops up now and again and there is a big hue and cry about it from so many govt agencies. The govt. threatens marching orders to these mncs and they in return rap the indian govt that they would take back all their investments from india and as a added bonus a few million dollars to the right people cool the matters down for yet some time. Any way, all are happy. The mncs, the govt, the labs etc. I've not heard of anyone dying by drinking coke/pepsi. So why bother. Rahul:- First thing, health aside, it tastes nasty, burns your thoat, and makes your teeth feel fuzzy. Why would anyone want to drink something that takes the paint off of your car, and can clean your battery terminals? Is it healthy? Well, Coke is mostly chemicals that are processed through the liver and put a very large strain on it. It can raise your LFTs (liver enzymes) which over time can cause liver damage and eventually necesitate a liver transplant. You really need your liver, and if it is not healthy you feel like crap and can effect everything in your life. Oh yeah, and don't forget all the sugar that makes you fat. So, I would have to say, no, Coke is not healthy for you.

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Atul :- Yes! colas should be banned in india. Why??? Ask them who are facing to the effects of these factories, bad effects like chemical and so more... Devika :- Not banned...they should be heavily fined and sued. But there are other things, much more dangerous than that, that need to be removed first. Gutkha, Paan(with lime), Beedis, Cigarettes, and Liquor. These are much faster poisons than pepsi or coke.