'Everything needs money': FoodPharmer who got Bournvita removed from 'health drink' section seeks advice on next step

Influencer Revant Himatsingka, widely recognized for exposing misleading marketing tactics in pre-packaged food through his Instagram channel ‘Food Pharmer,’ is now exploring a new direction for his platform.

Despite amassing over 2.7 million Instagram followers and 1 million YouTube subscribers, Himatsingka feels it's time to evolve. In an Instagram post shared two days ago, he invited suggestions for “Food Pharmer 2.0” while reflecting on his journey - from quitting a ₹2 crore job in the US to returning to India and consistently refusing to promote food brands.

"I usually never share anything personal but today I’m opening up about myself. We all have choices to make. And it’s not always easy to know whether we’re making the right or wrong one, even if we do things out of good intention. In the last 1.5 years, I’ve received an immense amount of love, support, likes and shares. But love, respect, support, likes and shares do NOT pay bills," said Revant Himatsingka.


Read his post here:

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A post shared by Revant Himatsingka (@foodpharmer)

"I don’t want any donations. I only want your genuine thoughts. As we enter the next phase of Food Pharmer, I’m excited to have you share your voice. From now, I will be putting up many Instagram stories with polls to help decide the Food Pharmer 2.0 journey," added the influencer.

What was the Bournvita case?
Last year, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued an advisory to e-commerce companies, instructing them to remove all drinks and beverages including Bournvita from the category of ‘health drinks’, on their portal and platforms.

“National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), a statutory body constituted under Section (3) of the Commission of Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 after its inquiry under Section 14 of CRPC Act 2005 concluded that there is no ‘health drink’ defined under FSS Act 2006, rules and regulations submitted by FSSAI and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd,” said a notification from the ministry dated April 10.

The controversy over the potentially 'unhealthy' nature of Bournvita first arose after a YouTuber criticized the powdered supplement in a video, highlighting its high sugar content, cocoa solids, and harmful additives. The video suggested that these ingredients could pose significant health risks to children, including the potential for cancer. Bournvita had rejected all these claims, termed the influencer's video as unscientific. The influencer, Revant Himatsingka later deleted the video from all platforms after being served a legal notice by Mondelez India. The product's labelling and packaging also fails to acknowledge the correct information regarding the contents used in the Bournvita health drink, the NCPCR had said.