Aava launches natural mineral water in Goa

 

The Ahmedabad-based Behram Mehta-promoted Sheelpe Enterprises has commercially launched Aava natural mineral water in Goa. In the first phase of the launch in Goa about 25 premium hotels, restaurants, clubs and fine dining restaurants on the Baga, Anjuna and Calangute Beach areas as well as at Bardez and Panjim now serve Aava natural mineral water, some of them on an exclusive basis. By end-February 2012, about 100 premium restaurants in Goa will serve Aava natural mineral water.

The fine dining restaurants and hotels already serving Aava include Titos, Brittos, Mambos, J&A Little Italy, East meets West, Charleston Hotel, Café Chocolatti, Souza Lobo, La Franza, Delfinos, Club Fresh,  House of Llyods, Nazri Resorts, Reiss, Bernad’s Place, Villa Bomfin and Top Nosh to name a few. Aava natural mineral water is also available for retail sale at Titos Super Market and Oxford Supermarket in Goa. The company plans to make Aava Natural Mineral Water available on retail at about 200 premium shops, supermarkets and stores in Goa by the end of February 2012. The MRP of the 1000 ml (1 litre) pack is Rs 23/- an invitation or launch price which is much lower than other competitors in similar product categories.

While the packaged drinking water market is about Rs 4000 crore it is growing at an average of 25 to 30 per cent each year. Comparatively the premium or fine waters segment is approximately valued at Rs 800-1000 crore but is growing much faster at about 40 per cent company research said. Through a special tie-up, Aava natural mineral water is sold exclusively at the Grand Hyatt and Ramada Group Goa. Grand Hyatt Goa consumes over 35,000 liters of Aava natural mineral water each month in various presentations like 200 ml, 500 ml and 1000 ml packs.

Aava natural mineral water is served on all Air India flights originating from six airports in India. It is also served on Spice Jet, Jet Airways, Jet lite, Ramada Group, ITC Welcome Group, Vadodara, ITC Grand Central, Mumbai, Fortune Landmark, Ahmedabad,  IIM Ahmedabad, Hotel Taj Ummed, Ahmedabad, Hotel Cama, CCI Club, Mumbai and at the Ambani School in Mumbai to name a few. In all Aava natural mineral water is available at over 200 star hotels in India.

Aava mineral water is available in cup-cap bottle, a one litre bottle with a drinking cup, useful for multiple drinkers; sports bottle (75 ml bottle with a unique ‘pull-push’ cap meant for sportsmen or for the gym); Aava mini, a 200 and 300 ml bottle with a regular twist cap and a 20 litre family pack.

Aava is confined aquifer water (sourced naturally from an underground spring) which is completely protected from natural as well as human contamination and it goes through 77 different tests before being bottled to ensure that it is free from harmful chemicals or microbiological organisms. Aava undergoes no chemical or artificial treatment and is 100 per cent natural.

Fine Dining & Nightlife in Mumbai & Goa

The MumbaiWire.in Guide to

Fine Dining & Nightlife in Mumbai & Goa

With a special section on Wines and Fine Waters

 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012: The MumbaiWire.in Guide to Fine Dining & Nightlife in Mumbai and Goa promises to be the Bible for gourmet lovers in India, particularly in Mumbai and Goa, not to forget the thousands of tourists who throng the beaches of Goa each year.

A hard-bound coffee-table book of approximately 300 pages, it will incorporate a special section on Indian-made Wines and Fine Waters which can be considered the sommeliers guide to Indian Wines and Fine Water. The hardbound edition of the book will be priced at Rs 1000 and will be a special collector’s edition. Though the book will be ready by the end of February 2012, it is expected to be available in exclusive book stores all over India only after the second week of March. An abridged cheaper paperback version more handy and more like a pocket guide will also be published alongside the main edition. The paperback edition will be priced at Rs 600. The paperback edition will incorporate a listing of the economy joints – a feature that would not be part of the hard-bound coffee-table book.

The book will feature some of the best dining and eating out fine restaurants, night clubs, bars, restobars, lounges, discotheques and pubs in Western India. Says senior journalist Flynn Remedios and editor of the MumbaiWire.in Guide to Fine Dining & Nightlife in Mumbai and Goa, “This book will profile the names and people behind some of the best brands like Titos, Mambos, Charlstons, Brittos, Pop Tates, Café Chocolatti, J&A’s Little Italy, Souza Lobo, La Franza, Goa Portuguesa, Indigo, Vie Lounge & Deck, Aurus, etc to name a few. It will also have a special section on Fine Waters from India like Aava and Mulshi Springs which are some of the best fine waters not just in India, but in the World in their individual categories. Indian Wines and the faces behind the success stories of Indian-made wines will also be profiled.”

What to expect, what to order and the approximate budgets for a meal for two as well as a rating will be part of each entry, explained Flynn Remedios, adding that, “We are trying to avoid the rating system because these days it is very difficult to categorize a place as a fine dining restaurant or a nightspot. Some places have a very distinct identity, but many places today include entertainment – a DJ, dance shows, special shows, etc and that makes it more like food and entertainment rather than just plain and simple fine dining.”

For more details or interviews email: editor.mumbaiwire at gmail.com.

Hospitality industry veterans applaud Michael Mascha’s Fine Water Seminar in Mumbai

The hospitality industry in Mumbai turned up in full strength on Saturday at the Oyster Room at Sahara Star to listen to international fine water expert and author Michael Mascha’s seminar on Gourmet and Organic Waters. Mascha who has toured the world and boasts of a collection of over 1000 fine waters is an author, water sommelier and an expert on water bars. He has helped set up water bars in some of the most exquisite and exclusive restaurants in the world spread over the seven continents.

Mumbai was privileged to hear him speak at a seminar organized by Naveen Luthra CEO of Mulshi Springs – India’s only 100 per cent pesticide free natural spring water which is the only Asian water to be exported to France and the European Union. Other speakers at the seminar included organic foods evangelist Kavita Mukhi who spoke about the benefits of natural, organic water, Mushtaq Rauf of Mulshi Springs and mixologist Shatbi Basu who conducted a practical session on water and whiskey mixing for the guests.

Present at the seminar were Arindam Chakravarti, Divisional Head – F&B of Reliance Big Cinemas,  K K Bhan, Asst GM of Oriental Bank of Commerce,  Anuj Prakash, Vice President – The Resort,  Rajiv Kaul, President – The Leela Group of Hotels, Sajay Goyal, GM – Speciality Group,  Zafar Siamwala, COO – Oberoi Group,  Actor Deepak Parashar who spoke about his own experience with Mulshi Springs which cured him of his health problems, veteran actress Poonam Dasgupta, Raj Saraf, Managing Director of Zenith Computers  and of course Michael Mascha and his beautiful wife Erika along with media persons and other members of the hotel trade business.

Michael Mascha also autographed copies of his book – Fine Waters: A Connoisseur’s Guide to the World’s Most Distinctive Bottled Waters for the guests present.

Guess what Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and other Hollywood celebs will be drinking very soon?

Our Bollywood film stars, businessmen and celebrities pride themselves with a bottle of the Rs 150-plus Swiss made Evian or USA-made Perrier. But do you know that the French love a water brand sourced in India. It’s true!!!

Mulshi Springs natural Spring Water is now officially sold in France and will be in the next few months exported to the rest of the European Union and Australia. Mulshi Springs finds pride of place in a swanky, exclusive restaurant and water bar called Colette in Paris. And for the skeptics, Colette is no small place, the clientele of Colette includes the who’s-who of the French fashion industry and the likes of the late Micheal Jackson, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, the late Princess Diana, Elizabeth Hurley to name a few who have savored the water brands at Colette. According to sources, Mulshi Springs is a bit hit at Colette which houses some of the best brands of water in the World.

Indian natural spring water brand Mulshi Springs will be the first Indian fine water to be exported to the European Union and France, say sources. CEO of Mulshi Springs, Naveen Luthra said that Mulshi Springs is already available at Colette which is a water bar and fine dining restaurant, part of an upscale, trendy retail shop in Paris. “We introduced Mulshi Springs at Colette on a test basis in March 2011. We have had a great response and will be commercially exporting Mulshi Springs to Europe and most probably the United States as well by end of this year.”

Mulshi Springs is the only Asian fine water to be certified for import by the Water Authorities or Boards in the EU, USA and Australian and the only Asian fine water which meets the stringent standards of the USA for Natural Spring Water. It is a very light water with a very low TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) and is very good for re-hydration.

Mulshi Springs is obtained naturally and bottled directly at source without any chemical processing or artificial flavouring. It is sourced from the biological hotspot of the Sahayadri ghat region about 100 kilometers away from Lonavala. India is proud to boast of a world-renowned brand like Mulshi Springs. According to French magazine Gayot, Mulshi Springs is the only water in the world sourced from a biological hotspot, the purest area on Earth, Mulshi Springs is the only Indian water which meets all U.S., European Union, and other international water standards. The source of Mulshi Springs is approximately 1,500,000 years old located in the Sayhadri Mountains of India, far removed from civilization in a pollutant-free region 600 meters above sea level in the heart of Indian rain forests. The spring is filtered through natural elements which protect the water from harmful bacteria and ensure the water’s integrity. Mulshi Springs is also certified to be completely pesticide-free. There is no industrial activity and have never been for about 6000 kilometers from the source of Mulshi Springs, which makes it pristine and naturally pure.

Bollywood actors love their Water Bottles

It is well known that Paris Hilton used to give her dog branded water from a bottle coated with Swarovski crystals and costing upwards of Rs 2000. The brand concerned is one of the world’s most expensive and exquisite fine waters Bling H2O. In India, bollywood stars may not treat their pets to expensive branded fine or gourmet waters, but personally very concerned about the water they drink.

We tried to find out what our Bollywood celebs drink to keep fit and keep their skin so glowing and translucent.  Besides a lot of juice and other health drinks, the main ingredient of their dietary component is H20 or water. Here is what we found out. However, before we go ahead we would like to clarify that we have this information from our top secret sources – managers, secretaries, publicists and the like – merely drinking a particular brand doesn’t mean endorsing or recommending the brand and we would like to clarify that this article is not intended to do so. We also spoke to owners of fine dining restaurants in Mumbai frequented by Bollywood stars to find out whats on the water menu of celebs.

So here we go: Boman Irani who is a very popular actor with films like Munnabhai MBBS, 3 Idiots, Housefull, Game, Don 2, etc was endorsing a brand Kent Water purifier, but we learnt that Boman personally prefers bottled or packaged drinking water, particularly on the sets. Boman Irani is known to prefer brands like Evian, Mulshi Springs natural spring water and Aquafina. Bollywood badshah Salman Khan, father Salim Khan and the Khan family again prefer Mulshi Springs while hot bod Bipasha Basu is a great fan of Aquafina and Evian. Khiladi Akshay Kumar is not so brand conscious but drinks Evian, Himalayan, Aquafina and Mulshi Springs depending on availability.

Dia Mirza, Gul Panag, Neha Dhupia and Celina Jaitley also shuttle between Aquafina, Mulshi Springs, Evian and either Kinley or even Bisleri Mountain Water. Deepika Padukone has a soft corner for Evian and Mulshi Springs again depending on availability, we were told, but were not able to confirm this. King Khan or SRK drinks Evian, Mulshi Springs, Aquafina, Perrier, Bling H20, Fiji and the like. Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are also very very particular about the water they drink. While in India both of them prefer Evian, Mulshi Springs or Himalayan, while abroad they drink normally Evian or Fiji. Mallika Sherawat also prefers Evian, Mulshi Springs or Himalayan and Kinley in India, while in the US likes Dasani or Perrier or Evian.

While shooting abroad, bollywood stars prefer Evian, Tasmanian Rain, Bling H20, Mulshi Springs – which is the only Indian fine water available in Europe and USA,  Perrier, Dasani, Fiji, Poland Springs, Ice Mountain, etc.

We were not able to figure out the preferences of Rani Mukherjee, Preiti Zinta, Asin, who also have a great and glowing skin.

Gourmet and Fine Water expert Michael Mascha visits India

Los Angeles-based international Gourmet and Fine Water specialist and bestselling author of Fine Waters:  A Connoisseur’s Guide to the World’s most Distinctive Bottled Waters, Dr Michael Mascha  will be visiting India from 12 to 14^th January, 2012. He will attend a press briefing and some conferences, besides meeting with members of the trade in Mumbai.

Michael Mascha, a former assistant professor of Visual Anthropology at the University of Southern California, is a passionate devotee of the culinary arts and a gourmet for more than 20 years. He holds a PhD. in Anthropology and Communication Science from the University of Vienna and is the Author of: Fine Waters – A Connoisseur’s Guide to the World’s Most Distinctive Bottled Waters.

Dr. Mascha first formed the idea for launching Fine Waters after he developed a heart condition, which prohibited him from drinking alcohol. With his great passion for the epicurean lifestyle, Dr. Mascha explored various ways to expand his culinary experiences by adding fine bottled waters, rather than wine, to his menu. He is now an expert on water and conducts seminars and conferences the world over on Fine Water and Gourmet Waters.

Water is not Water. At first glance, waters may not seem to have the individual characteristics that distinguish wines, but distinct differences become apparent when the attention is focused on water.

Like wine water has terroir and it is a natural product that originates from a particular place with unique properties. That is of course if you drink premium bottled water. About 40% of the bottled water sold in the US is purified tap water and available from brands like Aquafina, Dasani and many others. If it says municipal source on the label it’s not premium water and highly processed.

There is nothing wrong with tap water and in most places it’s safe to drink and in some instances it actually does not taste too bad. Tap water is for hydration while premium bottled water deserves a place at the table in an epicurean context.

Bottled water is currently in the early phase of a transition from being considered a commodity product to being viewed as a natural product with a unique source.

Dr. Michael Mascha (now retired) was the Principal of Strategy at CrownPeak Technology. Earlier he was the Managing Partner and Creative Director for US Web/CKS. In 1994, Dr. Mascha co-founded the pioneering Internet development firm W3-design, which was acquired by US Web in 1997 and became march FIRST in 2000. Prior to founding W3-design, he was Assistant Professor for Visual Anthropology at the University of Southern California (USC) and the first director of the E-Lab, where he worked with Dr. Jane Goodall on developing innovative interactive media projects. While at USC, Dr. Mascha co-founded the ground breaking Mercury Project, hailed by The London Times as a “piece of computer history.”

Dr Michael Mascha is the Founder and Publisher of FineWaters.com, the leading portal for bottled water aficionados, educating the consumer on the multitude of choices available in the world of fine bottled water. Mascha is instrumental in setting the “Bottle Water Etiquette”, matching fine bottled water with food, selecting the right stemware and serving temperature. Mascha is involved in creating water menus for the hospitality industry and he is the author of Fine Waters: A Connoisseur’s Guide to the World’s most Distinctive Bottled Waters called by many the “Bottled Water Bible”. Mascha holds a PhD in Anthropology and Communication Science from the University of Vienna and lives in Los Angeles and Texas

Guess which water Salman Khan trusts??

We all love the Dabaang Salman Khan. After Bigg Boss 5, and the recent success of his films Sallu miya’s ranking and popularity has increased several fold. Salman Khan is the undisputed King of Bollywood or Bollywood Badshah as he is referred to by many. Besides a very rigorous fitness routine, Salman Khan maintains a strict diet. And guess which water the macho Khan or bhai trusts? One of the brands that Salman swears by is Mulshi Springs.

Mulshi Springs natural spring water is the only internationally certified natural spring water from India. Salman only counts on Mulshi Springs to rejuvenate and rehydrate his system.

Hanging around the sets of Bigg Boss 5, we noticed one constant in bhai’s routine – his bottle of Mulshi Springs natural spring water.

Well must say, Mulshi Springs must be really proud to have such a loyal fan. We asked Naveen Luthra of Mulshi Springs what he thought about Sallu’s love for his ‘special water’.  Pat came the reply, “I did not know Salman Khan is so fond of Mulshi Springs – natural spring water. If I did know earlier, I would have sent him a complimentary year’s supply. Henceforth, I will ask my guys to make sure that Salman has the water delivered to his house or on the sets of his films.”

Fine Dining and Fine waters in India

By Flynn Remedios

Most Indians don’t care much about the water they drink or consume. But for a select few their water is as or even more important than the food they eat or the other drinks they consume. For the gourmet, the connoisseurs and even the common man who is concerned about drinking natural mineral or natural spring water, here is a simple guide:

Most people may not be able to appreciate the difference or fine taste of the water they drink. When you take a sip, the water in your mouth may feel a bit effervescent – like bubbles gushing in your mouth or you may feel it to be bold or still. The virginity and vintage of the water is something very few people bother about. Though the age of water may not affect the mineral content or its flavour to a great extent, it can mean a lot for someone looking for fine water. Some fine waters may be 450-500 years old while others may be just a few days old.

Fine Water has a very important place in the fine dining gourmet experience. Like wine imbibes the distinct flavour of the place it originates from and can be differentiated from vineyard to vineyard, fine waters have a distinct imprint of their source of origin. Fine waters though yet to make an impact on the Indian consumer are never-the-less much in demand abroad. Fine waters are normally natural and not processed. Except for basic filtration they are not even ozonated.

According to Naveen Luthra, of CEO of Mulshi Springs – India’s only internationally certified zero pesticide fine water, “Premium water is matched with food just the way wine or any other alcoholic beverage is. In case of water it is the balance, pH and mineral content that play a considering role. Bold and Classic waters are normally paired with appetizers while salads go well with effervescent water. Seafood is great with still water and red meat goes with Light or Classic water. Desserts are generally combined with still or effervescent water. The water tastes as sour, sweet and bitter can be considered to match with food either in complimenting manner or in contrasting. For instance, water with a pH of 7.2 are normally had with cheeses and spinach. In addition, the TDS in water also makes a difference. The mouth feel of water affects its combination with food.”

Some of the criteria or factors by which fine waters are judged and classified include:

Balance: This factor becomes important in judging the carbonation level of the water, which affects the bubbles and spark in water. It can be still, effervescent, light, classic or bold.

Virginality: It defines the purity of water, like how protected it is from its surroundings and it is based on the nitrate content. Superior quality water will have no or least nitrate content.

Minerality: Water’s taste and terroir are determined by the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in water. Low TDS waters are like white wines and the heavier TDS waters are like dark heavy white and light red wines.

Orientation: The orientation depends on the potential Hydrogen (pH) level which makes water acidic, alkaline or neutral.

Hardness: As we all know, how hard or soft water is, depends on the Calcium and magnesium levels present in the water.

Some of the World’s premium fine waters include:

Mulshi Springs – India

Originating from the mountainous biological hotspot region of the Sahyadri in the western ghats about 100 kilometers from Lonavla, the only premium water to compete with international brands and give them a run for their money is Mulshi Springs. The interesting story behind this fine water dates back to the age of Baji Rao Peshwa. It’s believed that his second wife Mastani who was known for her beauty used get water carted 40 kms away to her palace for her to bathe and drink from. No wonder, it gave her that glowing complexion and translucent skin. It is the only spring water from India which is certified to be naturally pesticide free and meets all the International standards of fine water. Mulshi Springs is packaged in an ornamental glass bottle and is served at some of the most exclusive fine dining restaurants in India. A PET version is also available. Mulshi Springs is bottled and vacuum packed at source. There is zero human contact and the entire packaging machinery is made of space-age stainless steel in a completed controlled glass bubble. The water does not touch the ground and the natural reservoir from where Mulshi Springs is sourced from is surrounded by a concave shell of solid rock almost 1000 feet thick.

H2O Bling -USA

This shimmering name is the inspiration of Hollywood writer-producer Kevin G. Boyd. He believed in judging one’s personality by the water bottle he carried and this belief gave birth to Bling H20, which has become a status symbol of those who can splurge. This award winning fine water is bottled right at the source at Dandridge, Tennessee. Gossip magazines have reported that Paris Hilton gives this whoopingly expensive bottled water to her pet dog.

Lurisia – Italy

Lurisia comes from Mount Pigna at 4.800ft above sea level away from any kind of pollution. It was discovered when in 1900’s, one of the miners accidentally struck a spring and infuriated a flooding in the caves of Nuvolsri. The water miraculously created a small lake. The miners started boasting about the magical qualities of the water, and as a result, a water plant was established.

Staatl. Fachingen – Germany

The premium brand is known for wellness, health, mental performance, beauty and overall health competence. It has a unique blend of minerals and high amount of hydrogen carbonate, which positively affects the natural acid-base balance of the body and provides well-being.

Fiji- Fiji

The water that boasts of its isolation from pollution, acid rain and industries is truly natural artesian water and is untouched by man. It is highly rich in Silica, which is an essential mineral in strengthening of bones, tissues, teeth, hair and nails.

Tasmanian Rain – Australia

Soothing as the name, Tasmanian Rain is rainwater captured on the pristine northwest coast of the Tasmania Island in Australia. The area has been known to have the world’s purest air. The water that does not just taste fine but comes in a beautiful glass bottle which is a delight for fine dining.

Pesticides in bottled water adding to male infertility and impotence in India.

A MUMBAIWIRE.IN SPECIAL REPORT

A report by watchdog NGO Environment Health News of USA may have starling news for Indian consumers. Many agricultural pesticides which are found in many bottled waters in India – though in very minor quantities – including some previously untested and commonly found in vegetables and fruits, disrupt male hormones, according to new tests conducted by British scientists.

These pesticides when consumed even in very trace or minor quantities over a long period of time can contribute to low sperm count, infertility and affect the male reproductive health leading to impotence. Says Naveen Luthra, CEO, Mulshi Springs and an expert on bottled water in India, “Everyday thousands of Indians consume bottled water from unknown and unheard of brands snug in the belief that they are drinking ‘clean and pure water’. This misconception and false ‘trust’ is slowly but surely ‘killing’ the reproductive systems of the Indian male populace.”

According to Luthra, whose company Mulshi Springs – one of India’s few internationally certified natural spring waters leads and supports research on the pesticide content in Indian drinking water , “The government should make periodic, routine and surprise checking mandatory if it really cares about the reproductive health of the nation. The amount of pesticides Indian consumers imbibe over a period of time is surprising and this is a bigger problem in cities rather than villages.”

The USA-based NGO researchers in their report strongly recommended that all pesticides in use today be screened to check if they block testosterone, which is critical to male reproductive health. Thirty out of 37 pesticides tested by the University of London altered male hormones, including 16 that had no known hormonal activity until now. Most are fungicides applied to fruit and vegetable crops, including strawberries, lettuce, oranges, bananas, etc.

“This study indicates that, not surprisingly, there are many other endocrine disruptors that we have not yet identified or know very little about,” said Emily Barrett, a University of Rochester scientist who was not involved in the study and helped prepare the report.

The findings come as the EPA faces opposition from the pesticide industry after expanding its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, which requires testing of about 200 chemicals found in food and drinking water to see if they interfere with estrogen, androgens or thyroid hormones.

Many agricultural pesticides – including some previously untested and commonly found in food  – disrupt male hormones, according to new tests conducted by British scientists.

The scientists strongly recommended that all pesticides in use today be screened to check if they block testosterone and other androgens, the hormones critical to a healthy reproductive system for men and boys.

“Our results indicate that systematic testing for anti-androgenic activity of currently used pesticides is urgently required,” wrote the scientists from University of London’s Centre for Toxicology, led by Professor Andreas Kortenkamp. Coincidently most of the pesticides and coloring agents mentioned in the EPA report are widely used in India and are largely unregulated, opines Naveen Luthra, adding that most bottled waters and even soft drinks contain pesticides in India.

Thirty out of 37 widely used pesticides tested by the group blocked or mimicked male hormones. Sixteen of the 30 had no known hormonal activity until now, while there was some previous evidence for the other 14, according to the report, published last Thursday in the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Most of the newly discovered hormone disruptors are fungicides applied to fruit and vegetable crops, including strawberries, oranges, sweet limes and even bananas. Traces of the chemicals remain in foods and enter the human digestive system.

The British researchers screened the chemicals using in-vitro assays, which use human cells to check whether the pesticides activate or inhibit hormone receptors in cells that turn genes on and off. They are a widely accepted lab technique. Scientists, however, are uncertain what actually happens in the human body at the concentrations of chemicals that people encounter in fruits and vegetables.

Some research has linked pesticides to abnormal genitals in baby boys, such as cryptorchidism and hypospadias, and decreased sperm counts in men. Male fertility is thought to be declining in many countries and India tops the list. Testicular cancer is also increasing, says the report. Some scientists have dubbed this compilation of male disorders “testicular dysgenesis syndrome,” and suggested that hormone-disrupting environmental contaminants play a role.

Fetuses and infants may be particularly at risk when exposed in the womb or through breast milk because hormones control masculinization of the reproductive tract. R. Thomas  Zoeller, chair of the biology department at the University of Massachusetts.

 “It is telling us that the pesticides most prevalent in the human population have effects on the androgen receptor,” said Zoeller, who directs the university’s Laboratory of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Endocrinology.

“Considering all the evidence that human male reproduction is exhibiting troubling secular trends (sperm count and quality, hypospadias, cryptorchidism, testis cancer), this is highly troubling,” he said.

The researchers noted “a clear disparity” between today’s most widely used pesticides and the current knowledge of their risks, “with the majority of the published literature focused on pesticides that are no longer registered for use in developed countries.”

Of the tested compounds, the most potent in terms of blocking androgens was the insecticide fenitrothion, an organophosphate insecticide used on orchard fruits, grains, rice, vegetables and other crops.

Others with hormonal activity include fludioxonil, fenhexamid, dimethomorph and imazalil, which are all fungicides. Fungicides are often applied close to harvest, so they are frequently found as residue in food. Some are new compounds which have been used for only a few years.

Fungicides “are typically applied as mixtures in order to increase effectiveness and prevent development of resistant strains and therefore, human exposure to mixtures of these in vitro anti-androgens may be considerable,” wrote Kortenkamp and the other study authors, Frances Orton, Erika Rosivatz and Martin Scholze.

Of the tested compounds, the most potent in terms of blocking androgens was the insecticide fenitrothion, an organophosphate insecticide used on orchard fruits, grains, rice, vegetables and other crops. For six of the pesticides that showed hormonal activity for the first time, the authors said they “strongly recommend” the next round of testing, using lab animals. “Due to estimated anti-androgenic potency, current use, estimated exposure, and lack of previous data, we strongly recommend that dimethomorph, fludioxonil, fenhexamid, imazalil, ortho-phenylphenol and pirimiphos-methyl be tested for anti-androgenic effects in vivo.”

“We at Mulshi Springs are committed to provide fine drinking water, spring water and bottled water with absolutely zero pesticide content. Mulshi Springs is the only water available in India which is completely and 100 per cent pesticide free. Unfortunately, the same is not true for thousands of other brands, some of them even well-known and respectable brands,” explains Luthra.

(Adapted from the EPA report and EH News by Flynn Remedios)

James Bond Films SKYFALL hits the floors on 7th November

EON PRODUCTIONS, METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS AND SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT

ANNOUNCE 7^th NOVEMBER

IS START OF PRODUCTION

FOR 23^rd JAMES BOND FILM

“SKYFALL”

LONDON, UK, November 3^rd, 2011 – Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today presented the cast of the 23^rdJames Bond adventure, entitled SKYFALL.  The film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his third film as James Bond 007.  The screenplay is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan.  SKYFALL, which goes into production on Monday, November 7^th, will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26^th 2012 and in North America on November 9^th 2012.

Joining Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Director Sam Mendes were members of the cast of SKYFALL, including: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe. The filmmakers also announced Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw.

In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.  As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

“We’re so delighted to have Sam Mendes direct SKYFALL and be working once again with Daniel Craig.   We’ve a great script, an extraordinary cast and an incredibly talented creative team for this latest James Bond adventure,” said Wilson and Broccoli.

The Director of Photography is Roger Deakins, a nine-time Oscar® nominee who previously shot the films Jarhead and Revolutionary Road for Mendes.  The Production Designer is Oscar® winner Dennis Gassner, who previously designed Quantum of Solace and collaborated with Mendes on the films Road to Perdition and Jarhead.  The Editor is Stuart Baird, A.C.E., whose many credits include Casino Royale.  Jany Temime, whose many credits include the Harry Potter series, In Bruges, and Children of Men, is the Costume Designer. Action specialist Alexander Witt is the 2^nd Unit Director.  Gary Powell is Stunt Co-ordinator, Chris Corbould is SFX Supervisor and Steve Begg is Visual Effects Supervisor, all of whom have worked on previous Bond films.

About Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions

EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family.   Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with MGM, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films as well as all worldwide merchandising.   EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK based production company which makes the James Bond films.   The 007 franchise is the longest running in film history with twenty-two films produced since 1962.  Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli took over the franchise from Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli in 1995 and have produced some of the most successful Bond films ever including CASINO ROYALE and QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

 

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV channels reaching over 130 countries.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation.  SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; worldwide television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 142 countries.

Submitted by: SPE Films India Pvt Ltd