PepsiCo told an Indian court that a continued ban on the “energy drink” label could leave its top-selling products out of stock nationwide in two months. The court again refused to let the company resume making drinks with the label, while Red Bull remains free to sell its products for now.
PepsiCo told the Delhi High Court that its products could run out nationwide in a couple of months if the ban on the “energy drink” label continues. The court again refused to let the company resume making drinks carrying the label, which India’s food safety regulator ordered makers of high-caffeine drinks to drop in June. The case’s next hearing is set for October 30.
PepsiCo lawyer Sandeep Sethi said competitors could manufacture their products while PepsiCo was limited to selling existing stocks. He said restarting production without the label would be a long, cumbersome process because cans had already been bought and printed, and could disrupt the company’s distribution system. Red Bull won a court reprieve last month; PepsiCo, Monster and Reliance Consumer remain limited to existing stocks bearing the label.
