Neither Coke nor Pepsi nor any other beverage (barring tepid tea) was served at the first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee this afternoon investigating the issue of pesticides in soft drinks this afternoon. But this gesture of restraint does not indicate any anti-MNC prejudice—both the cola giants as well as any other ‘‘interested party’’ are more than welcome to present their case in future hearings of the JPC.The meeting, chaired by Sharad Pawar, which lasted nearly four hours and was attended by all but one member of the 15-member committee took two major decisions: first, to involve ‘‘experts’’ to study the issue because MPs, they conceded somewhat humbly, knew little of the technical aspects of the subject.And, two, to ‘‘invite’’ suggestions ‘‘through the print and electronic media’’ from NGOs, industry representatives, farmers, medical professionals, toxicologists and any other interested party. It is under the category of ‘‘industry’’ representatives that Pepsi and Coke can submit their views to the JPC.The JPC began its two-fold task (to ascertain whether the CSE findings on pesticide residue in soft drinks are correct or not; and to suggest criteria for evolving scientific safety standards for soft drinks, fruit juices, and other beverages where water is the main constituent) with a heavy dose of expertise.A presentation was made by CSIR chief R A Mashelkar and his team for over two hours, giving a broad overview of the issues involved. Talking to reporters later in the evening, Pawar said it was decided that a ‘‘small committee of experts’’ should be attached to the JPC on a full-time basis to conduct the investigations.The JPC, therefore, will write to the Speaker formally requesting the requisitioning of three experts: G. Thyagarajan, former secretary, Science and Technology for developing countries who ‘‘has handled the responsibility of monitoring pesticide levels in exportable commodities in South Asia; N K Agnihotri, former Project Coordinator, Agriculture and Chemcials, IARI; and S K Khanna, former head of toxicology division, Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow.The JPC also scheduled its next meeting for October 9 where representatives of the ministries of health, food processing, agriculture, Bureau of Standards will be invited to present different aspects of the issue.A visit to laboratories in different parts of the country may also be undertaken at a later stage, Pawar said.While holding out hope that the JPC would be able to meet its 3-month deadline, Pawar conceded that the task of setting a safety standard for all beverages ‘‘where water is the main constituent’’ was huge, given the fact that pesticide and fertiliser residues were ubiquitous in India.‘‘Even coconut water and mother’s milk will have such residues,’’ Pawar said, adding that the main concern of the JPC was not the presence of pesticides per se but the quantum beyond which it proved harmful to health.‘‘Our topmost priority is the health angle,’’ he said more than once, indicating that a pragmatic rather than idealistic approach would guide the JPC probe.
