How often do we consciously think about the food on our plates? Have we ever turned packaged food around to read labels - and more importantly, how much do we understand of those labels and the information on them? There are hardly any thoughts spared as to how the food we eat affects us - without any conscious realizations whatsoever. This growing concern was brought into the spotlight earlier this year when Revant Himatsingka, a.k.a. Food Pharmer, gained massive media attention for his bold awareness campaign against Bournvita. His claims about the product's high sugar content and the carcinogenic nature of its caramel color, along with misleading packaging claims, drew severe legal and virtual retaliation from the brand. 

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The Motivation Behind the Movement

Food Pharmer’s motive has always been education - not to defame any brand or criticise any product on a mass platform.The Bournvita debate, nevertheless, sparked a much-needed discussion on a wider scale. People began questioning the ingredients, nutritional value, marketing claims, and packaging of many other “healthy” food products. This controversy  highlighted the need for transparency in advertising and the importance of front-of-pack labeling, aligning with FoodPharmer’s mission to empower consumers with the knowledge to make healthier choices.

Accurate comprehension of food labels is crucial for making informed and safe dietary choices, and promoting overall health and well-being. This is where FoodPharmer plays a vital role.

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Partnering with Rigi

Initially beginning the journey via LinkedIn posts, FoodPharmer got the traction he needed, but helping those who need it the most requires more than just good intentions and a determined mind - it needs fund. Aiming to take the vision forward and to draw the finances to feed the underprivileged and malnourished in various parts of India, Revant faced the challenge of monetizing Label Padega India as an educational initiative. 

After six months of intensive brainstorming, and going through all of Rigi’s products, services, and offerings, he decided to offer online courses and build a community. 

Working together with Rigi on the following, FoodPharmer commenced his journey : 

• Developed the Health School landing page
• Facilitated seamless payments
• Created workshops for the Master Class
• Built and executed Health School, a comprehensive platform for online health and label-awareness 
• Preparing to launch a community soon

One of the primary targets of the online webinars and workshops we enabled for FoodPharmer was to reach diverse consumer sub-groups. These groups included parents, corporate employees, individuals, and educational institutions. The goal was to educate them on the harms of false brand marketing and the importance of reading product labels correctly. This initiative aimed to empower consumers with the knowledge to make healthier choices and recognize misleading information.

This motive stemmed from FoodPharmer’s core beliefs that reading food labels correctly is essential for making healthier choices and leading a healthier lifestyle.

Participating in workshops and webinars created by FoodPharmer and powered by Rigi - that teach how to read and understand food labels is a valuable investment. These sessions provide practical skills for identifying hidden sugars and unhealthy ingredients and understanding portion sizes and daily value percentages. They also offer tips for choosing nutrient-dense foods over empty calories. This was also the birth of FoodPharmer’s digital movement, “Label Padhega India” and Rigi is honored to contribute to scaling the same. 

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Powering “Label Seekhega India”

From “Label Padhega India” - FoodPharmer’s push for label-awareness amongst ordinary masses, he made the jump to “Label Seekhega India”, the in-depth education initiative. The online sessions provide practical skills for identifying hidden sugars, understanding portion sizes, and choosing nutrient-dense foods.

The core of this initiative is a series of 2-hour 30-minute webinars, designed to equip participants with knowledge about reading food labels and making informed dietary choices.

This integration worked its magic on a larger scale as FoodPharmer expanded into Corporate and Educational Spaces to educate individuals of all age groups and backgrounds about the harms of false marketing and label-misinformation. 

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Building a Community

Community building is a key aspect of FoodPharmer’s long-term strategy. Plans to develop a robust community platform in partnership with Rigi are underway, focusing on creating a supportive network for individuals dedicated to healthy eating and lifestyle choices. This community will offer continuous learning opportunities, support groups, and access to various resources.

Through these initiatives, FoodPharmer is making significant strides in combating misleading food marketing and empowering consumers - and Rigi is honored to be empowering the same. By offering structured, accessible education and building a supportive community, We are proud of FoodPharmer’s contributions to paving the way for a healthier future.