Always Coca-Cola - India

June 2006
As a principal sponsor of FIFA, Coca-Cola is keen to trade in on the World Cup's image of fair play and good sportsmanship. But many believe its business practices make a mockery of this reputation.

For thirsty fans at the World Cup, there's only one choice of soft drink available. Whether it's Coke, Sprite or Bonaqua, all the brands on sale belong to coca-cola. Many of theses drinks are produced in India, where Coca-Cola's business practices have elicited widespread condemnation. "The coca cola factory ruined my life," despairs one farmer. Producing 0.33L of coke requires 1L of water. In some villages near cola factories, water levels have dropped by 60m. Harvests have fallen by more than 40% because there is not enough water to irrigate fields. But Coca-Cola denies all responsibility. "We are not the problem", states spokesman Rajiv Singh. "There are simply too many people living here who are wasteful with water." Coca-cola also stands accused of pollution and union busting. Many workers in their factories receive around 50 cents for a 12 hour shift. They have no unions and sometimes receive no compensation for injuries sustained. As Bhagwab Das Yadav states: "All we want is for coca cola to respect India's labour laws."

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  News & Politics

[jonahmathews]

Electrolytes it's what plants crave.

[yummyummyshelle]

Coca Cola says in regard to their water stewardship "The TERI report confirms that we are in overall compliance with Indian regulations and, with a few minor exceptions, consistently meet our own Company standards (which are often more stringent)". More stringent, yes, but barely even there! Fuck you, Coca Cola.

[Vaibhav Prakash]

Its amazing when people in Germany, even the top officials, choose speak in German but an Indian farmer chooses to convey his frustrations in English.

[Mordur696bren]

Then why do you just not produce it in your own state.

[Mordur696bren]

In the beginning it created jobs later problem arose and the authorities closed their eyes to them.

[MrEestimaa]

Well people like coca cola ...I like it with rum ....if someone get better me better drink I drink that.

[forgottenmemories63]

Fuck this propaganda !!!

Eating McDonalds & Drinking Coke right now, India 2013 all the way !!!

[tjakrabirawa1]

Coke in Indonesia is using the lowest grade sweetener where in other part of the world is stated as toxic ingredient, which is sodium cyclamate. They are still using it for coke zero and diet coke. The joke is : they give image it's to healthier to drink coke zero... They are true murderer....

[Sarahlenea]

Thanks! The issue with filters is that they also remove calcium and other minerals that are important for me since I don't eat diaries.

In France, we can check the quality of water on the internet. It is very good where I live, but filters can be useful elsewhere. In places where they add aluminium, this represent max. 5% of the amount we eat from other sources (cans for ex.!). Some studies found pesticides, heavy metals and phtalates in water bottles too, so... less pollution=safer water

[billyboy8888]

just hire local villagers, that solves all problems

[billyboy8888]

filter it, too much additives in our tap water