Chennai: Taking note of serious allegations that Coca Cola and Pepsi contained high levels of pesticide residue, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa directed that samples of these popular brands of soft drinks be sent to laboratories for testing.

"The Chief Minister has directed that appropriate and stringent action be taken if found true," an official press release issued on August 14 said.

The samples would be tested at an accredited laboratory in Chennai and at the Central Food Laboratory at Mysore.

The decision to have the samples tested was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Jayalaithaa on August 12, which was attended among others by her ministerial colleagues, state chief secretary and high officials, the press note said.

PTI