Health Hazard at the Okhla Mandi

How many of us actually think about where our food comes from or under which conditions it is handled? The Times of India begged this very question in an article a few days ago about the Okhla Mandi.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-12/delhi/31330500_1_mandi-vegetables-fruits

The Okhla Mandi is one of the key distribution points in the South Delhi, Gurgoan, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad areas for fruits and vegetables. Produce comes in from all directions to be distributed to sabziwallahs, restaurants, hotels, and other vegetable vendors. It certainly gives a lot to think about for the state of vegetable markets, and protecting the integrity of the produce while keeping customers and suppliers free from food-borne illness.

Key points from the article:

1. The cleanliness of the Mandi has not been maintained at all
2. The Agricultural Produce Market Committee is responsible for cleaning the Mandi, but has not followed through on their promise
3. It is risky to buy vegetables and fruit that are not handled in a sanitary way. The probability of contamination is high given the current conditions and lack of maintenance.
4. A quote from the article: “Physician Dr Praween Kumar says such unhygienic conditions can cause a variety of gastrointestinal diseases. 'Flies transmit infections. And vegetables and fruits kept in such conditions could contain larvae and maggots, which can cause faecal-oral and gastrointestinal diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera and even typhoid. Often we don't have alternatives so and hence we buy these vegetables; but if we do, we should wash them properly before cooking. If you are eating fruits raw, it may be safer to peel off the skin.'”
5. Officials claim that the Mandi is cleaned regularly, but it seems upon walking in the reality is otherwise

It is incredibly important that safety is put first and it is a shame that more is not being done to prevent contamination, especially when so many people are eating produce from this Mandi. And it's also important that consumers are aware about what happens to their fruits and vegetables before it reaches the table.

This is a reminder to all retailers to highlight and focus on quality, and a good argument for sourcing directly from farms. We're glad to see an article that highlights such a critical public health issue, and is also a call for action. You don't have to put up with veggies that also pose a health risk. You have the choice to buy vegetables are are hygienically handled and packed, and come straight from farmers that you can trust. Hopefully both consumers and officials will step up and demand clean produce.

Ber the Super Fruit and a Recipe!

Ber, or Jujube in English, is a fruit that is said to have originated in China and has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Ber has calming properties and is an excellent source of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The fruit can be used to alleviate anxiety and insomnia. Jujuboside A is a powerful natural chemical that affects the hippocampus and is used as a natural sleep aid. Besides containing anti- oxidants which fight cancer causing free radicals, ber contains a 20 times more vitamin C than citrus, vitamin A and B2, 18 out of the 24 required amino acids, and minerals like potassium and calcium. Light green to dark brown when ripe, these berries are a great way to maintain health, boost immunity, and get a good night's rest!

Ber is mostly eaten raw, but it is great cooked as well as a chutney, jam, or fruit butter. Ber butter is made in a similar way to apple sauce, and can be spread on toast, used as a chutney, or eaten on it's own.

How to prepare Ber Butter

What you Need:

A large saucepan

30 odd Ber pieces

½ cup sugar or more or less according to your taste

zest of one lemon and juice of half a lemon

1 cinnamon stick

a few cloves

water to cover the ber

1. Chop the ber so that the stems and seeds are out
2. Combine the fruit, water, lemon zest, and lemon juice in the sauce pan and bring to a boil
3. Lower heat and cook until the mixture softens
4. Add sugar and cook until the mixture darkers
5. Optional for skinless butter: rub the mixture through a strainer to remove the skins
6. Move the ber butter to a jar or tupperware

For more information and further reading:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/117526-health-benefits-jujube-fruit/

http://www.tasteofbeirut.com/2011/09/jujube-a-super-fruit/

So How Do I Know It's Organic?

There is lot of concern about whether our food is really what it says it is. We read about scary things in the papers all the time about our food being diluted, added to, or just being fake! Let's talk a little about organic certification and how the process of maintaining the integrity of organic produce works.

Organic Certification is a stringent process and marks a commitment from the farmer to grow only organic produce. There are many factors that go into the certification process, such as quality of the soil, how long the farmer has been growing chemical-free, if the natural fertilizers and pesticides are safe to use, the quality of the water, and others.

The Standards:

• All the crop production and animal husbandry on a farm must be chemical-free for three years before it can be certified.
• Farms that are under the three year mark are labeled as in-conversion
• All seeds and plant material should be chemical-free, not genetically modified, and no hormones or additives
• Organic farm land must have a buffer zone/ area between it and conventional farms to prevent contamination by run-off from conventional fields.
• All farming practices must promote bio-diversity and be ecologically sound
• Raw animal manure must be composted first
• Farms cannot be contaminated by sewage water (very big plus point of organic)

Farms are checked regularly to ensure all standards are being met. Any foul play leads to immediate suspension or revocation of the certificate. False claims regarding the produce are monitored and fined. Our certification is done by Control Union. We would be happy to provide a copy of our certification at any point upon request. 

NPOP India Organic Logo

Happy Eating, 

I Say Organic

Resources: www.apeda.gov.in