Bournvita reduces added sugar by 15%, viral influencer calls it ‘big win’

Revant Himatsingka had received a legal notice from Cadbury, which said his viral video was ‘unscientific’ but many experts backed him.

Revant Himatsingka said after one legal notice and a wait of eight months, Bournvita has reduced its sugar content.

A health and nutrition influencer who went viral for calling out the harmful ingredients of Bournvita has now posted a video about a “big win” against Cadbury, the drink’s manufacturer, as he said the company had reduced sugar content in Bournvita by 15 per cent.

Revant Himatsingka, who runs an Instagram page called @foodpharmer, posted a video on April 1 in which he claimed per 100 g of Bournvita contains 50 g of sugar. He had started off by showing the front packaging of Bournvita that lists “Active Brain, Strong Muscles, Strong Bones and Immune System” as its benefits. Before the Covid pandemic, Cadbury did not market Bournvita as being good for immunity, he further said, adding that it chose to do so afterwards because it helped the company sell the drink more.

Listing out the ingredients at the back, he said it contains sugar, cocoa solids, which is basically chocolate, colour (150C), which he said is caramel colour that is known for causing cancer and reducing immunity.

In his latest video, posted two days ago, Himatsingka said, “Finally hum jeet gaye (Finally we have won).” He said after one legal notice and a wait of eight months, Bournvita has reduced its sugar content. He had received a legal notice from Cadbury after his video went viral. Cadbury said his video was “unscientific” but many prominent doctors and nutritionists came out in his support and backed his claims in a letter.

In April, the central government sent a legal notice to Cadbury asking the company to remove misleading information on Bournvita packaging. He said Cadbury had launched a new range of Bournvita in which the added sugar has been reduced by 15 per cent.

Also Read | Health influencer takes down video on Bournvita’s sugar content after Cadbury’s legal notice

“BIG WIN! Probably the first time in history that an INSTAGRAM REEL led to a food giant reducing their sugar content! 1 video resulted in a 15% reduction in sugar. Imagine if all Indians started reading food labels. Companies wouldn’t dare falsely market themselves. This fight isn’t against Bournvita. The fight is against any company which sells junk food but markets itself healthy! The fight is to get 140 crore Indians eating healthier! 1 company changing its sugar content, will result in a chain reaction, and every company will be slightly more careful now!” Himatsingka wrote as the caption.

Watch the video below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Revant Himatsingka (@foodpharmer)

“Bro using their own taglines against them,” an Instagram user commented. “The influencer we need,” said another. “This is what is called making an impact in society!!” wrote a third.

First published on: 26-12-2023 at 14:57 IST