California Prune Board launches handbook for promoting prunes in India

Praveen K Singh - Delhi

Riding high on the growing trend of health food in India, the California Prune Board has launched a handbook for promoting prunes as a health food here. The handbook titled 'Handbook of Scientific Information on the Nutritional Health Benefits of Prunes' has been compiled by leading nutrition immunologist Alka Verma, and launched by Richard L Peterson, executive director of the board.

Peterson says, "Increasingly people world over look towards the nutritive values of not merely sustenance but well being foods. There is also a distinct awareness amongst Indian consumers of lifestyle habits. The present generation are far more health conscious, thereby switching to foods that provide overall well being. California Prunes can play a role in preventing cancer as they are exceptionally high in antioxidant activity and may help prevent the development of heart and lung diseases, some cancers, cataract formation and effects of aging."

According to Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, with changing lifestyle, people in India wish to eat food with health benefits and California Prunes can be incorporated in various Indian cuisines. California is one of the largest producers of prunes in the world and the California Prune Board is the nodal agency for marketing and promoting California prunes internationally. It has launched its products in India through SCS Group.