Beverage major Coca-Cola has postponed the launch of new flavours and brands as well as milk-based products since it is focusing on its core carbonated soft drinks brands.

The company's CSD brands grew over 40 per cent between January and May 2003, year-on-year.

"There will be no new launches this year, no new brands, no new flavours. We have too much on our hands now. The entire company is focused on the CSD business, and we are all just thinking about how to grow it further," Sanjeev Gupta, president, Coca-Cola India, said on Wednesday.

Coca-Cola had originally proposed to launch milk-based products in 2004. Gupta, however, said he did not expect the launch before 2005. "It is not a priority right now," he said.

Gupta did add that some products such as yoghurt, flavoured milk may be under testing with packaging companies.

It is also learnt that there have been no talks between Coca-Cola and milk-to-confectionery FMCG major Nestle on launching cold beverages such as cold coffee and iced tea. Gupta said his company was not exploring this business opportunity.

Meanwhile, Nestle India has already started retailing its cold coffee (branded Frappe) and iced tea (branded Nestea) through retail packs as well as franchised vending outlets.

Gupta said the pricing of the CSD brands--Rs 5 for a 200 ml glass bottle pack--has had an impact on the growth of the juice market, including Coca-Cola India's own mango flavoured non-carbonated drink Maaza.