New Delhi: The healthy dietary gap has been widening in rural and urban India, along with the gap of skills and technology. Raj Shah, Founder of Hb+, launched #RedRevolution, a mission to make India anaemia-free while empowering rural women. HB+ is a 100 per cent pulp of Prickly Pear fruit processed with patented technology. Prickly Pear fruit is a superfood fruit of the cactus plant called “Nagphani” in Ayurveda, “Nopal” by Mexicans, “Barbary Fig” or “Indian Fig” by Italians.
Prickly Pear fruit nectar is made in an ISO, HACCP and GMP compliant production unit, entirely processed without the direct contact of anyone. It is a superfood with 33 per cent DV of iron, 21 per cent DV of calcium, powerhouse of antioxidants and essential building block of our body, amino acids. What makes it more unique is that it contains zero sugar, no colour, no flavour and no harmful preservatives. Its natural sweetness comes from the Stevia extract which is 100 per cent safe for diabetes.
According to a report by the World Health Organization, 50 per cent of pregnant women in India are anaemic due to iron deficiency. In the fast-paced lives of metro cities, we are achieving all our targets except for our health goals. Our rural India has a lot of agricultural lands and resources but they are deprived with skills to utilise every resource, this is where they lack empowerment. Whereas in urban parts of India, people do have skills and technologies but in the overall processes they end up neglecting their health. We desired to solve these problems with Hb+ which is solely manufactured by rural moms for urban moms. “It’s strong iron and calcium content is a boon for pregnant women or anybody suffering from anaemia,” said Raj Shah, Founder of Hb+.
Pulp of Prickly Pear is not only benefiting anaemic people but also to cancer patients and elderly public. It’s a great natural product for cancer patients going through chemotherapy or other treatment. Works wonderfully for increasing haemoglobin, detoxifies the body and boosts immunity. “It is a must have for cancer patients,” said Ushakant Shah, cancer survivor. and Founder of Karunakare Foundation. Another user, Dt. Akruti Pamani quoted, “A lot of pregnant women are anaemic, which impacts the child and mother’s health, Hb+ Prickly Pear juice is rich in iron calcium and vitamins. It is a definite superfood for pregnant women.”
The brand has made up to 60 lakhs of investment with over Rs 2 crores of turnover. Prickly Pear Fruit Nectar was launched in 2019 from the house of Hb+, and the product has seen growth of five times higher since the last financial year. Awareness on health-based products has increased post-COVID, and also so about this product.
Hb+ being a product that impacts health of pregnant women, helps chemotherapy patients as well as empowers rural women.
Raj Shah’s strong will, determination and skills have made him achieve these milestones. He says “#RedRevolution is a peoples’ movement. It’s by the women for the women. Let’s make India anaemia-free. Join #RedRevolution.”
