Cochin, August 25 :

The High Court in the southern Indian state of Kerala today temporarily upheld a ban on production of soft drinks by Indian subsidiaries of Co-ca Cola Co and PepsiCo Inc.

Kerala banned sale and production of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks after a New Delhi-based environment group said earlier this month that the products contain high levels of pesticides. Coca Cola India and PepsiCo India — both of which operate bottling plants in Kerala — have challenged the ban in the state’s High Court and today they sought the court’s permission to continue production until judges deliver their verdict in the case.

But the court said, in a written order, that the prohibition will stand until it hears the case on September 11.