The famous saying – “An Apple a day Keeps the Doctor Away” – does not hold true anymore. Apples, a staple fruit in many Indian households, conceal a disturbing reality. In the pursuit of producing a shining, well rounded, thick skinned perfect Apple, orchards have resorted to heavy chemical and pesticide use in apple farming, Mindless of the fact that it is causing a health hazard to humans, environment and all living beings dependant on the orchard ecosystem. Chemicals and Pesticides: A Toxic Cocktail Commercial apple farming in India employs: 1. Insecticides: Chlorpyrifos, neonicotinoids, and pyrethroids to combat pests. 2. Fungicides: Chlorothalonil and Captan to prevent disease. 3. Herbicides: Glyphosate and 2,4-D for weed control. 4. Growth regulators: Hormones to enhance growth and color. Indian research reveals alarming facts: – ICMR study (2020): 70% of apple samples from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand contained pesticide residues exceeding safe limits. – CSE report (2019): Indian apples contain higher pesticide residues than global standards. – IIT-Delhi research (2018): Chlorpyrifos, a commonly used insecticide, contaminates 90% of apple samples. Health Impacts Exposure to these chemicals has devastating consequences: – Cancer risk: Exposure to chlorpyrifos, glyphosate, and 2,4-D increases cancer risk. – Neurological damage: Chlorpyrifos and neonicotinoids harm brain development and function. – Reproductive issues: Exposure to pesticides affects fertility and fetal development. – Environmental harm: Chemical runoff contaminates waterways, harming aquatic life. The Residue Remains Apples retain pesticide residues, even after washing: – FSSAI findings: 55% of apple samples contained pesticide residues. Choose Healthier Options Mitigate exposure: 1. Buy organic: Opt for certified organic apples. 2. Local and seasonal: Support local farmers using integrated pest management. 3. Wash thoroughly: Use vinegar or baking soda to remove residues. 4. Peel: Remove skins to reduce pesticide intake. However this trick actually takes away a lot of fibre and minerals that are very useful for our body and digestion. DEMAND CHANGE Join the movement: 1. Advocate for sustainable agriculture: Support eco-friendly farming practices. 2. Encourage policy reform: Push for stricter pesticide regulations. 3. Educate others: Share the risks associated with chemical-laden apples. Protect your health and the environment. Choose organic, locally sourced apples and demand a toxic-free future. Information is sourced from following resources:: – Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) – Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi) – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – Environmental Working Group (EWG) – Pesticide Action Network (PAN) – USDA Pesticide Data Program Take action: Share your concerns and promote sustainable agriculture practices!
Monsoon Wellness: The Health Benefits of Organic Sprouts from Eat Right Basket
In the verdant embrace of the monsoon season, when the sky showers its bounty, it’s the perfect time to welcome the wonders of organic sprouts into our diets. Harnessing the power of these tiny, nutrition-packed dynamos, Eat Right Basket (ERB) offers a range of organic sprouts that can do wonders for your health, especially during this rainy season. Organic sprouts are essentially seeds that have germinated and become very young plants. This germination process usually begins with the seeds being soaked for several hours. The soaked seeds are then exposed to the right combination of temperature and moisture, and they begin to grow. ERB ensures that their sprouts are grown in a completely organic environment, free from harmful pesticides, which can substantially increase their nutritional value. One of the primary benefits of ERB’s organic sprouts is their dense nutritional profile. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, and fiber. Sprouts are a powerhouse of nutrients, including Vitamin K, C, fiber, and folate. They also contain lesser-known nutrients like sulforaphane, which has been linked to several health benefits. Monsoon season often brings with it a higher risk of infections and diseases. Organic sprouts can help to boost our immunity, making us better equipped to ward off monsoon-related ailments. The high vitamin C content in sprouts strengthens the immune system, while their richness in antioxidants reduces inflammation and helps the body to repair itself. In addition to boosting our immunity, ERB’s sprouts are ideal for maintaining digestive health. With the onset of the rainy season, digestive problems are quite common. Sprouts, being rich in enzymes and fiber, aid in digestion, ensuring your gut stays healthy and happy. Another compelling reason to include ERB’s sprouts in your diet is their potential to aid in weight management. Sprouts are a low-calorie food with high fiber content, which makes you feel full for longer periods, reducing overeating and snacking, and helping you to maintain or lose weight. While the health benefits of sprouts are manifold, it’s essential to ensure that they are fresh and properly handled to avoid bacterial contamination. This is where ERB stands out. Their stringent quality control measures ensure the highest standards of safety and hygiene in the production, packaging, and delivery of their sprouts. Moreover, ERB understands that eating healthy doesn’t mean compromising on taste. They offer a variety of sprouts including chana, moong, ragi & jowar each providing a unique flavor to cater to different taste preferences. In conclusion, the monsoon season is the perfect time to incorporate Eat Right Basket’s organic sprouts into your diet. They are a powerhouse of nutrition that can boost your immunity, aid digestion, support weight management, and more. The best part? They’re tasty and versatile, ready to be added to your salads, sandwiches, or even as a crunchy topping for your favorite dish. As the rain purifies the air and refreshes the earth, let the organic sprouts cleanse and rejuvenate your body. Celebrate this monsoon with Eat Right Basket’s sprouts, and gift yourself the wellness you deserve.
Eat Right Basket – Organic Farming and everything around it – A Journey
Dear readers, Welcome to our very own Eat Right Basket Blog. It does not matter if you are already part of the Eat Right Basket family or not, everyone is welcome here if they have good intentions and an open heart. Let us introduce ourselves first: This is the team behind Eat Right Basket which works 6-7 days a week to provide you with the most natural, organically grown food possible. Why this blog? At Eat Right Basket we know organic farming is needed to stop the pollution of our air, water and earth. Therefore, we believe everyone should be able to afford a healthy life with organic food, not just those who have the money to pay for it. Our main goal is to establish a market for organic food which is actually affordable. After all, changing from pesticide heavy industrial farming to organic farming is a big task. Not just for farmers but for the customers as well. How do you know that food labelled as organic really is organic? Is organic farming and natural food really safer than industrial produced food? Why is organic food more expensive than industrial food? These are questions we sometimes hear from interested citizens; therefore we have set up this blog to answer them. What else will you get to know? This information is very important, but we want to share much more with you. We want to introduce all the people who are involved in allowing you to receive our organic food right at your doorstep. Show you how our organic food is produced, transported, sorted etc. Explain why sometimes the weather or the traffic can foil all the careful plans we have made. Look at our responsibility towards the earth we are living on. How is climate change affecting India and the 300 million farmers and farm workers living in rural areas. And what does that mean for us as a social enterprise and you as a consumer? Why is farming in India the way it is, what policies are behind farming developments? Finally, we also want to share our Ideas and plans for the future. What is our Vision for the Eat Right Basked family and how can you get involved?! We are excited for your Feedback. If you have Questions about this blog, about Eat Right Basket in general or anything else concerning organic food, feel free to contact us. (Some Hindi Expression blessing people or similar) Eat Right Basket Team
My First Impression Entry!
Hi, my name is Julia and I am a volunteer coming from Hamburg, Germany. I have been working with Eat Right Basket for the last 8 months. During this time, I have learned many things, especially about the importance of good and healthy food. In Germany, the awareness of how important and healthy organic food is increasing more and more. Especially over the time of the pandemic, many people focused more on eating healthy and have shifted to buying organic products. Organic products can nowadays be found in nearly every store, but online shops for organic and healthy products are not yet established. Especially none that deliver fresh fruits and vegetables as well. That’s why I am so impressed by how Eat Right Basket is managing to offer affordable and healthy organic food in such a big area like Delhi-NCR. I got to experience the positive environment this company created with its employees and how valuable their products are for them. Eat Right Basket produces their vegetables, fruit, and grains in Uttar Pradesh on their own 20 acres and works with many other farmers to spread the knowledge and value of organic farming. Food is one of the most essential needs of the human body. Not only for survival but also for wellbeing. But nowadays the food becomes less and less valuable. Organic Farming is a way to Care, Feed and Eat Right. It is important for our health but even more for our nature. With all the chemicals that get through traditional farming into the ground, the earth around it gets poisoned, which has grave effects on the health of the people as well as our earth. Therefore, Eat Right Basket has stepped away from synthetic fertilizers and instead uses environmental-friendly fertilizers like cow dung. Another way Eat Right Basket uses to naturally enrichen the soil is vermicomposting. Whereby worms compost vegetables and food waste and create a natural fertilizer. Vermicomposting is a great way to recycle and reuse food scraps. In their shop and office in Noida, the many great products are stored and sold, as well as packed for home delivery. Every day new and fresh products arrive by train and are sorted carefully to ensure the highest quality for the customers. There are many natural Indian products, which I got to explore here. Especially in comparison to Germany, I admire the variety of fruits and vegetables Eat Right Basket and India, in general, have to offer. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to work with Eat Right Basket!