"You don’t create a health revolution without making a few enemies."
Revanth Himatsingka, aka Food Pharmer, says this with the calm of someone who has weathered more than just online backlash. Over the last few years, several big brands have taken legal action against him for calling out their misleading packaging and false health claims. But stepping back was never an option.
Because for Himatsingka, this isn’t just content; it’s a mission. His viral videos, where he breaks down food labels and exposes hidden sugars and artificial ingredients, have not only reshaped the way millions shop but have also pushed brands to rethink how they sell. In an era dominated by flashy marketing, processed snacks, and confusing food labels, Food Pharmer has become a trusted voice, helping people figure out what’s really inside their food.
At the 2nd Indian Healthy Snacking Summit, Delhi, where he addressed health entrepreneurs, brands, and nutrition advocates on 18th July, we spoke to him to understand why eating right feels like a puzzle, what advice he has for parents, and how the health food industry is evolving.
Are We Overcomplicating Healthy Eating?
“Honestly, yes and no,” Himatsingka admits. “On one hand, social media has so many theories; it confuses people and pulls focus away from basics like walking more, controlling portions, and avoiding overeating. Just doing that can solve half our health issues.”
But the other side, he says, is harder to ignore. “Most of what’s available in the market isn’t really clean. Even though I, despite having access to more health information than most, sometimes wonder, What do I even eat when everything feels adulterated? So, for the average person, it’s not just about overcomplicating, it’s genuinely tough to figure out what’s healthy.”
Also Read: Low-Fat And Fat-Free: Expert Helps Understand These Food Labels
His One Rule for Parents Raising Healthy Kids
For parents trying to raise kids with healthy habits, his advice is blunt but practical: “Start early. Don’t let your kids develop a taste for junk. The tongue is a tiny organ, and you can’t let it control the entire body. Simple swaps, like replacing ketchup with green chutney, may not be as instantly appealing, but they help build healthier preferences that last.”
The Industry Is Changing, But So Are the Gimmicks
On stage at the summit, Food Pharmer painted a picture of an industry in flux. “Transparency used to be a USP for brands, something only a few could brag about. Now, it’s becoming a norm. More brands are offering cleaner labels and reducing artificial ingredients. And this shift isn’t just in food. Even skincare and beauty products are being ‘healthified.’”
But he’s quick to add that not everything is as honest as it looks. “Marketing gimmicks are still rampant. Green packaging to signal ‘natural,’ medical buzzwords to sound credible, celebrities to gain trust, and one healthy ingredient to overshadow the not-so-healthy ones; it’s everywhere. Unless you’re reading the back of the pack, you’re falling for the dream they’re selling.”
A review of 17 studies showed nutrition education and label literacy programs significantly improved comprehension and usage of food labels, across school-aged children, older adults, and people with chronic disease.
Read the Labels
His golden advice is simple: always read the back of the pack. “The front is designed to sell you a dream. The back tells you the reality. And honestly, the best foods don’t even need labels (fruits, nuts, seeds, dry fruits). As a rule, the longer the ingredient list, the longer your medication list,” he added. He points to peanut butter as an example: “The one with just peanuts will always be better than the ones loaded with sugar or chocolate, no matter how fancy the packaging looks.”
A large systematic review found that readers of nutrition facts labels tend to have healthier diets, consuming less added sugar, fat, and sodium, even though research on front-of-pack claims and ingredient lists is still developing.
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Also Read: Understanding Food Labels: What To Look For When Grocery Shopping
Health Literacy Is the Real Revolution
For Food Pharmer, true healthcare doesn’t start in a hospital; it starts at the dining table. “Eating the right food is caring for your body before it even gets sick. If we can make every Indian health-literate, we won’t just be treating diseases, we’ll be preventing them before they even begin. That’s when we’ll see real change,” he added.
In a space dominated by marketing giants and polished campaigns, Food Pharmer is the rare voice holding the industry accountable, even if it means standing alone at times. But for him, the goal is clear: to build a future where knowing what’s on your plate is no longer a privilege, but a given.