Bombay High Court allows criminal proceedings against Coca-Cola after spider webs found in bottles
Bombay High Court has declined to quash proceedings against Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited, which faces allegations of selling adulterated beverages. The company had sought to dismiss the case initiated by a magistrate's court in Maharashtra's Jalna district after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found a fibrous substance and cobwebs inside bottles of 'Canada Dry', a sweetened carbonated drink.
In 2001, during an inspection of Hindustan Coca-Cola’s product 'Canada Dry', the FDA discovered the contaminants in sealed bottles. A stock of 321 bottles, with an expiry date of December 12, 2001, was seized on July 27, 2001. Following tests, a complaint was filed against the company for allegedly violating the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.
Coca-Cola's Appeal for Relief Rejected
The company, which is part of the global Coca-Cola beverage business, challenged the complaint in the Bombay High Court, arguing that there was a delay in filing the complaint. In 2010, the magistrate's court issued a notice to the company, prompting its legal action.
On December 11, Justice Y G Khobragade of the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court ruled that the beverage maker had not presented sufficient grounds to quash the proceedings. The court’s decision allowed the case to move forward after over 14 years of delay.
Hindustan Coca-Cola's Request for Stay Extension
After the order was passed, Hindustan Coca-Cola requested an extension of an interim stay on criminal proceedings for another eight weeks.
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