Coca-Cola India on Tuesday welcomed the results of the tests of its product samples by the directorate of health of the Kerala government, which showed its products are free of harmful substances.

Traces of lead were "well below permissible limits," a company press release said in New Delhi.

"This only vindicates our position that our products are absolutely safe and conform to all national and international standards," Sunil Gupta, vice-president, Coca-Cola, was quoted as saying.

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Dr V K J Rajan, director of health services, Kerala, on Monday said the Coca Cola samples were tested for traces of pesticides like DDT, BHC, Malathion, Paratheon, Carbo Furan and Carborin.

The release quoted Rajan as saying that the tests were conducted using highly modern equipment like high performance liquid chromatograph, atomic absorption spectro-photometer and were received by the chief government analyst.

Two Coca Cola samples from Thiruvananthapuram and Quilon were tested, it added.