Pristine's nutrition supplement

Pristine Organics Private Limited on Tuesday announced introduction of Poushtik Plus, an organic nutrition supplement for the immuno-challenged, specifically those with AIDS.

Pristine Organics is a nutrition science-based company working in partnership with non-governmental organisations, tackling malnutrition in children and nutrient problems with specific reference to the vulnerable groups of our society.

Pristine sources only organically-grown foodgrains as base material for its products so that they are free of toxicity and chemical residues. In the process it also encourages sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.

The company has tied-up with Green Foundation and eco-farms which are members of Maharashtra's Small Farmers' Organic Association for organic inputs.

K C Raghu, managing director, said that there is a vast difference between food security and nutrition security. Although India has attained food security, it is way behind in nutrition security. He said that Bangalore slums, especially Rajendra Nagar where they had conducted a study, was 80 per cent nutrient deficient.

He added that the food basket of the country is shrinking and the pulses' requirement of the country which stands at 11 million tonnes is less than the required 14 million tonnes.

M N Khuddhus, director, Pristine Organics said that Poushtik is a specially-formulated organic nutrition supplement fortified with the most needed vitamins and minerals, providing vital nutrients through food and filling the nutritional gap responsible for undernourishment which is overt and sub-clinical (not clinically determined).

Pristine Organics is working with NGOs like Myrada and ActionAid to tackle malnutrition and plans to reach at least one million children by year 2006. Poushtik Plus is priced at Rs 20 per 400 gms.