Bangalore: The Opposition parties in the Karnataka Legislative Council on August 6 demanded the state government to ban the sale of Coco Cola and Pepsi soft drinks, in the light of reports of high pesticides content in these beverages.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Dr M R Tanga (BJP) and Dr M P Nadagouda (ABPJD) said while these soft drinks manufactured in the US did not contain any pesticide, those produced in India revealed "more than 30 per cent pesticide content".

Since pesticides are carcinogenic and can lead to cancer, their sale should be "immediately banned on health grounds", the members stressed.

They also demanded stringent action against these companies "in case they have violated health norms".

To this, Water Resources Minister, who is also the House leader said the matter was "serious" and he would ask the Health Minister Kagodu Thimmappa to reply to the issue.

PTI