We are gratified that High Court of Kerala has set aside the illegal orders of the Government of Kerala and the State Food (Health) Authority dated August 10 and 11, 2006 respectively banning the manufacture and sale of Coca-Cola in the State.

This order protects the interests of big and small retailers, local entrepreneurs and employees which have been affected by this illegal ban. In response to the interests of consumers, we will immediately take necessary steps to make Coca-Cola available across the State of Kerala.

Coca-Cola India has always been completely confident of the safety of its soft drinks in India because they are produced to the same level of purity, regarding pesticides, as the EU criteria for bottled water (globally accepted as one of the most stringent in the world).

Earlier, Supreme Court of India in the Godavat Pan Masala Case had very clearly laid down that State Health Authorities has no power to issue such bans under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) other than in 'emergent situations' and that too for a temporary period after giving the affected party a hearing. Given the Supreme Court Judgment and the order of the Kerala High Court today, we hope that other State Governments will reconsider similar orders/advisories issued by them and abide by the law as interpreted by the Supreme Court of India.

The Judgment and order of the Kerala High Court was delivered by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice V.K. Bali and Justice M. Ramachandran on the writ petition filed by Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd.

From time to time you may hear baseless allegations about the safety of Coca-Cola. Our guarantee is that we've never compromised when it comes to the quality of our products. Not even a single drop. The Coca-Cola Company uses one quality system around the world, so your drink here is of the same quality as anywhere else in the world.

Your safety is paramount to us. That is why Coca-Cola and the materials used to make it undergo a total of more than 400 quality checks. All this to ensure that every sip of Coca-Cola that you take is as safe as it's refreshing for you and meets all applicable Indian and international standards.

We thank you for your unshaken faith in us and would want you to celebrate the joys of all festivals with your delicious Thanda as always.

Seeing is Believing. If you want a first hand experience of the process that goes into making of your favourite beverage, you can call us at 0124-2348617/8* or email us at indianhelpline@apac.ko.com and we would be happy to take you on a tour of our world class facilities.

• Hon'ble High Court to hear the petition on September 11, 2006
• Petition by the company is against the order of the Kerala Government banning the manufacture and sale of brand Coca-Cola in the state

The Division Bench of The Hon'ble High Court of Kerala comprising Chief Justice V.K. Bali and Justice R. Ramachandran today admitted the writ petition of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. In light of the urgency of the matter, the Division Bench posted the matter for final disposal on the first day after the court vacation, on September 11, 2006. The Court further ordered that no adjournments would be permitted.

We are completely confident in the safety of our soft drinks in India because they are produced to the same level of purity, regarding pesticides, as the EU criteria for bottled water (globally accepted as one of the most stringent in the world). Our soft drinks have been regularly tested and evaluated by the world renowned UK Government Laboratory, the Central Science Laboratories (CSL). On Monday August 14 the laboratory held a press conference in Delhi, announcing that all tests show that soft drinks from Coca-Cola India are below the EU criteria for pesticide residues in bottled water.

Coca-Cola India supports the Government in adoption of clear criteria for pesticide residues in soft drinks based on scientifically validated testing methods

We support the move by the Government of India to adopt clear criteria for pesticide residues in soft drinks, which are based on scientifically validated testing methods. We are already working with relevant government bodies in India to develop and finalize the criteria along with their associated testing protocols for pesticide residues in soft drinks.

We have the same uncompromising commitment to product safety and quality in our beverages in India that we offer around the world.  Coca-Cola India has stringent standards for all of the ingredients used in its beverages. These standards are backed by analytical testing protocols for these ingredients, and we regularly audit all plants for compliance.

No detectable level of pesticides in Indian soft drinks when measured against strict EU criteria in independent lab study

In the meantime, Coca-Cola India measures its soft drinks against the European Union (EU) criteria for pesticide residues in bottled water (globally accepted as one of the most stringent in the world). Our soft drinks have been regularly tested and evaluated by a world renowned UK Government Laboratory, the Central Science Laboratories (CSL). All tests show that our soft drinks are below the EU criteria for pesticide residues in bottled water.