Coca Cola and PepsiCo, two of the worlds largest transnational corporations, have been banned in the southern Indian state of Kerala! Neither of the two soft drink manufacturers can now produce, distribute or sell their soft drinks in that state.

Seven other Indian states have also imposed varying degrees of the ban, and it is expected that other parts of India may follow suit. The Supreme Court of India has given the companies six weeks to disclose the ingredients in their beverages or face a possible national ban.

The reason for the statewide ban in Kerala is dangerous levels of pesticides found in soft drinks produced in India by Coca Cola and PepsiCo. A study by the Centre for Science and Environment found that drinks produced by the two companies in that country contained pesticides at levels 24 percent higher than those permitted in Europe.

What is even more disturbing is the fact that the pesticide level problem was made available to Coke and Pepsi as early as 2003. The companies stand accused of knowingly producing and selling contaminated drinks and may have to pay fines and make reparations.

For years, residents and activists in Kerala and across India have been fighting a battle against soft-drink giant Coca Cola for perilously depleting and polluting water supplies. The Kerala ban may set a groundbreaking precedent in India, and beyond.

Activists worldwide have welcomed the Kerala ban as a victory in the fight against corporate-led globalization. But the Kerala ban of Coca Cola and PepsiCo is really much more; it is a testimony to the power of local people to successfully stop corporate giants from wreaking havoc in their communities.