In a public bid to help his country’s farmers, India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suggested that American beverage giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi add fruit juice to their popular drinks. “Millions of people buy Pepsi and Coke. I have asked these companies if they can put five per cent natural juice in their drinks,” Modi said in a speech on Wednesday, according to Reuters. “If they can, then our farmers will make a lot of money. Our farmers will not have to throw their fruit away.” Probably not the best phrasing–use the fruit we’d otherwise throw away to flavor your drinks–but Modi’s aim is true. India is the world’s second largest producer of fruits and vegetables.
Modi made his speech in India, but the Prime Minister is traveling to New York to attend the UN conference. While there, Modi will meet with heads of large US companies. PepsiCo, which continues to invest heavily in its Indian operations, is headquartered in New York. Modi has been very effective in his career in drawing attention to issues through social media. It’s certain his campaign to influence Pepsi, Coke and other large multinationals will find life online.
