New Delhi: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) whose tests have reported excessive pesticides in soft drinks like Coke and Pepsi, on August 11 welcomed the decision of the Delhi High Court calling for an expert committee to review its findings.

"The court has endorsed CSE's concern over the lack of standards for permissible pesticide residues in soft drinks sold in India," the NGO said in a statement.

CSE said Pepsi had sought an interim order to stop CSE from publishing "unsubstantiated" statements or materials against the petitioners and to withdraw the material from the website. However at the start of proceedings its petitioner said they would not press these charges, the statement added.

It said CSE's right to action in interest of public health is unquestionable.

"The right of individuals and organisation like CSE to carry out action in public interest and in favour of public health cannot be questioned", the NGO's chief Sunita Narain said.

Such lawsuits, where the rights of individuals or institutions to bring matters of public interest to the notice of the public are questioned, are common in countries like the US. Dangers of allowing such lawsuits are also well documented in the US, it said.

PTI