Hundreds of people are gathering at the Maggi Noodles' food stall next to Hall Number 7 at the ongoing India International Trade Fair (IITF) to taste their favorite comfort food. After being off the shelves for more than six months, India's popular instant noodles back in the market.
"This is the only stall at the trade fair. It's the first time that a Maggi stall has been installed here at Pragati Maidan and the response has been overwhelming. We are selling 500-600 plates every day. It's just plain Maggi noodles but still people are thronging our counter more than any other food stalls," Shobhit Sharma from the sales team of Nestle, the Switzerland-based holding company of the international brand of soups, noodles and seasonings, told IANS.
One of the reasons cited for the success of Maggi sales at the trade fair is the revoking of the ban that was imposed six months ago on the brand.
"People are craving for Maggi. It is back in the market after six months which seems to be a long time for Maggi lovers. It is something which is consumed by people of all age groups throughout the country. Most of our customers today here have been older people - which is quiet surprising since mostly it is believed that only the younger generation prefers the two-minute noodles," Sharma added.
Satish Chauhan, one of the food coupon distributors at the Park Balluchi eating centre (next to Hall No.7), said that less than two percent of the crowd was buying coupons of other food stalls.
"Everybody wants Maggi here. We have other food stalls also offering food like dosas, bhel puri and pizzas but the demand for Maggi has been highest since day 1," Chuahan told IANS.