New Delhi: The government has withdrawn the ISI quality mark on Pepsi and Bisleri and has issued stern warnings to the companies after the raids conducted by various regional arms of the Bureau of Industrial Standards (BIS) indicated that the products did not meet the desired standards.

The companies, whose markings have been stopped, include PepsiCo India Holding, Bharuch, and Bisleri International’s Devanahalli unit in Bangalore, as well as Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, Khera. Penal action will be enforced against Pepsi for the lapses at its Bharuch plant.

Official sources maintain that the action, which is likely to have adverse repercussions on the consumer trust reposed in the brands, was taken since the plants of the named companies failed to meet even the existing norms and regulations, including pesticide residue, set by BIS. “The plants will be barred from using the ISI mark and marketing the product in the country.”

The water bottled at both the Pepsi and the Bisleri units was found sorely wanting in quality, despite their claims that they adhere to the European Unity (EU) quality norms. EU norms on pesticide residue are far more stringent than the norms set by the BIS.