FSSAI had banned Maggi in June.
By Sreekanth A Nair
Nestle India on Monday announced that the company has re-started the sales of Maggi Noodles after Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) found the new samples safe for consumption.
On receiving the green signal, Nestle, partnering with online e-retailer Snapdeal, has rolled out a special campaign with hashtag #SnapdealWelcomesMAGGI . Interested customers are asked to pre-register for the flash sale of Welcome Back Maggi Kit, which is believed to be a pack of twelve 70 gms Maggi Noodles sold at Rs. 144.
The company informed that the Maggi Noodles being rolled out now has the same masala taste that the consumers have always enjoyed.
Nestle also claims that their noodles is 100% safe. “The test results from all laboratories mandated by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court has validated Nestle India’s position that MAGGI Noodles were and are safe. The health and safety of consumers is and will always remain the highest priority at Nestle,” Nestle said in a statement.
The company is in touch with their channel partners and distributors to make the brand available to everyone. However, Maggi Noodles will not be available in 8 states where it has been banned.
“Most States do not have a ban on the sale of Maggi Noodles. For states where specific directions are required, we are engaging with them,” they said.
Maggi Noodles is presently being manufactured at three locations, at Nanjangud (Karnataka), Moga (Punjab) and Bicholim (Goa). For the other two locations at Tahliwal and Pantnagar, the manufacturer is engaging with the relevant authorities to obtain directions to commence operations.
Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestle India said: “The return of MAGGI Noodles on the auspicious eve of Deepawali and on the day of Dhanteras is a moment of celebration for all of us! Maggi Noodles has very special relationships and strong emotional bonds with its consumers across the country and I am confident that our bonds will grow even stronger.”
“On behalf of over 7000 Nestle India employees, I would like to thank all our suppliers, distributors, retailers, and millions of consumers from every corner of India and overseas for their support, love, reassurance, and for being there during our difficult period. MAGGI Noodles rightfully belongs to them and I feel happy to be able to give back to them their familiar taste during the auspicious and festive Deepawali season,” he added.
FSSAI had banned the production and sales of Maggi Noodles in June suspecting high levels of lead and Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG). Later the Bombay High Court revoked the ban and asked the company to test noodles samples in three labs accredited to the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
Nestle had to recall more than 30000 tonnes of noodles after the ban. It’s net sales declined 32.1% and net profit slipped 60% in third quarter of this financial year, due to the ban on Maggi Noodles.