Revant Himatsingka, the Indian health and nutrition influencer known as Food Pharmer, is expanding his mission to promote clean eating and transparent food labeling with the launch of his own health-focused brand, OWN - Only What's Needed. This new venture marks a significant step for Himatsingka, who has gained a substantial following by exposing misleading health claims made by major food brands.
With 2.8 million followers on Instagram, Himatsingka aims to transition from simply identifying problems to actively providing solutions. He envisions OWN as a "militant clean label brand," committed to transparency in the food industry. This launch coincides with his introduction of the 'Food Pharmer Approved' certification system, designed to endorse brands that meet his stringent standards for authenticity and clean ingredients. This certification may extend beyond packaged goods to include healthy restaurants. While initially considering lab testing for certification, Himatsingka opted for ingredient-based assessments due to cost and time constraints, believing many companies wouldn't pass the initial clean ingredient filter required for lab verification.
Himatsingka's journey to becoming a prominent health influencer began after leaving a well-paying job in the United States. His viral video criticizing the high sugar content in Bournvita, a popular children's health drink, brought him into the spotlight in April 2023. The video sparked considerable controversy, leading to legal notices from Mondelez, Bournvita's parent company, and the temporary suspension of his Twitter account. Despite facing legal challenges, Himatsingka's activism has influenced product reformulations and public discourse on food standards in India. For example, Mondelez eventually reduced the sugar content in Bournvita by approximately 15%. He has also faced legal action from other companies, including Dabur, for questioning the "100% juice" label on Real juice products.
OWN's first product will be whey protein, with a soft launch planned for June and a full launch in July. Himatsingka has partnered with a manufacturing facility in Tirupati for this venture. The products will be available online through his website and e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. While acknowledging that the high-quality ingredients may make his brand more expensive, he plans to reduce marketing costs by 20-30% and pass those savings on to consumers. He aims to offer healthier options while remaining competitive, though he recognizes the difficulty in matching the low prices of larger brands.
Beyond his brand launch, Himatsingka remains dedicated to promoting health literacy. He has been advocating for mandatory warning labels on food packets with high calorie or sugar content and integrating health education into school curriculums. He also proposed using QR codes on food labels to display nutritional information in multiple languages, making it accessible to a broader population.
Himatsingka's work has not been without its challenges. He has faced numerous legal battles and admitted to experiencing burnout from working continuously since April 2023. Despite these obstacles, he remains committed to his mission of educating consumers and promoting healthier food choices. The launch of OWN and the 'Food Pharmer Approved' certification system represent his dedication to transforming the food industry and empowering consumers to make informed decisions about their health.
