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Deputies of the ultra-nationalist Liberal-Democratic faction of the State Duma have prepared a draft law banning the sale of soft drinks containing caffeine and other stimulating supplements including vitamins, Ekho Moskvy radio reported on Monday. If passed, the bill would outlaw popular drinks such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

The explanatory note to the bill says that despite the fact that caffeine content in Coca-Cola and Pepsi does not exceed the legally allowed norms, the drinks can nevertheless be hazardous as some consumers drink large quantities at a time.

The radio quoted a source in the Russian parliament as saying that the new bill is grotesque. The source suggested that the Liberal Democrats mistook Pepsi and Coca-Cola for energy drinks. Representatives of Coca-Cola also said that it was impossible that such a bill would be signed into a law as there were no grounds for it.