MAM
Rajasthan state public health lab clears Coke: claims Coca Cola
MUMBAI: The fire fighting continues even as cola sales are declining! Cola companies are trying to prove the allegations of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) wrong by obtaining ‘No objection’ certificates from state government health labs and other independent testing units.
A press release issued by Coca Cola India claims that the State Central Public Health Lab, Rajasthan, Jaipur, has cleared the soft drink samples of Coke under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. The cola company claims that the tests were conducted by the public analyst, Rajasthan; and the results were submitted to the High Court of Rajasthan by the State Central Public Health Lab, Rajasthan, Jaipur, as part of the Public Interest Litigation filed against cola drinks.
A statement issued by Coca-Cola India welcomes the speedy investigation by the State Central Public Health Lab, Rajasthan, and Jaipur, into the quality of soft drinks. “These independent results reconfirm the quality of the products manufactured in our plants and, we believe, will help to restore consumer confidence,” the statement says.
The statement also adds that the company believes that a consistent, professional testing protocol is necessary to serve the interests of both the consumers and the beverage manufacturers. The statement says that the company will continue to work with government agencies for resolving this issue.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
