Silent Boycott..

There are pesticides in coke, and now a study by Greenpeace has identified, genetically modifying ingredients in PepsiCo’s brand of chips.

Yesterday, the results of their survey confirmed that there are ingredients such has Mon 863 and NK 603 present in these chips which have some serious health impacts like weight gain, variations in growth etc. A little research shows that these items are actually used as pesticides to help control the growth of worms.

What is disturbing, is that India has recently become a dumping ground for such hazardous chemicals present in almost every food items promoted by the MNCs. And yes, at one end there is the regulatory system to blame, which in india is not as upto the mark. In Europe the discovery of such, items has led to instant ban of such products, but here we continue to have them on our shelves and continue to feed them to our childeren.

Ever thought why you feel like consuming the whole packet of pringles? Or the waffers? Its not because they are tasty, its because they contain the chemical salt Monosodium glutamate more popularly known as Aginomoto. This salt kind of sticks to you tounge and makes you want more of that same taste and hence sending your brain the singles to keep consuming more.

But here is the real story, research has proven that consumtion of MSG leads to headaches, stomach cramps,anxiety, shortness of breath, chest pain etc among other things. And to know that we consume these items on a daily basis and even get children, whose bodies have yet not fully been developed, addicted to them is a shocker.

So instead, of taking the easier route and blaming the authorites, I would request and recommend each one to boycott these products, do not entertain such dumping by buying these items and consuming them.

A few more reasons to boycott coke/pepsi :

Hazard to environment and health: In India Coca Cola was found to have 30 times more pesticides than the European Union standard. A Indian High Court ruling requires it to mention pesticide levels on bottles. Farmers find it a cheaper alternative for other pesticides in the market. The sludge coming out of a Coca Cola plant destroys fields and crops in the vicinity. When BBC tested this sludge in UK it was found to have Cadmium and Lead.

Damage to environment and communities: Coca Cola is a major threat to precious ground water resources which common people use for drinking and irrigation purposes. In Plachimada, Kerala, India, water has dried up in a radius of 3 km from the plant site. This situation threatens to displace 20,000 local habitants, while at the same time the bottling plant only gives employment to 50 local people.The Supreme Court of India found the Company guilty of painting the Himalaya rocks with huge publicity announcements/panels.

Threat to peace : Coca Cola was the fifth largest donor to George Bush in the war at Iraq,Pepsico was fourth

Coke and Pepsi threaten WHO over health report on sugar intake

A friend pointed out that I am regressing back to the Gandhian approach of a silent boycott, while I am not a big fan of the Satyagraha (but thats for another post and another day) I do believe that the only way to fight these corporate giants is by exercising our right as the public.

So go on, join the boycott!