Reports have cropped up that the fake soft drink business is rampant in Vizag this summer. During this season, there’s always a rise in consumption of soft drinks and fruit juices, owing to the rising temperature. Taking advantage of this demand are several people making adulterated fizzy drinks to generate revenue.
India Live Today claims that the lack of supervision of the officials concerned has added strength to this business. They also claim that there are hundreds of soft drink companies in Visakhapatnam that prepare cool drinks made with chemicals and impure water. These companies then go on to sell their drinks at a lesser cost than what the original would cost.
Consumers are also reportedly preferring these fake fizzy drinks that sell for as less as Rs 5 & 6. These drinks come in attractive packages and taste good due to the manufacturers mixing in sour salts and powders. But while these fake drinks quench thirst on a hot summer day, their effect on health is much due to the chemicals that are put in, not to mention the contaminated water used. Doctors have warned the public, especially children to not drink these adulterated soft drinks.
Mainstream soft drinks aren’t any less harmful to health either. Research has linked these sugary drinks to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and several other chronic conditions. A recent study by the Indian Government has reportedly detected harmful toxins in PET bottles of PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Traces of heavy metals such as antimony, lead, chromium and cadmium and DEHP, or Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were seen in five samples of soft drinks in a test conducted by the Health Ministry’s Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).
So this summer, let’s try and stick to good ol’ fruit juices and coconut water instead of falling prey to the lure of these sugary drinks.
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