In a unique move, Nestle India has partnered with e-commerce site Snapdeal to reach out to consumers to sell its popular brand Maggi noodles which was re-launched on Monday. Maggi will be sold via the “flash sale model” on the online retail portal and one has to pre-register to be eligible to avail the sale that will be for a limited period on November 12. However, Maggi will not be available in the eight States where a ban on it continues. On Monday, the Snapdeal website mentioned that registrations will open soon.
Claiming that all samples of Maggi Noodles Masala have been cleared by three National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration laboratories-accredited labs as mandated by the court, the company in a press statement said, “The rollout has begun today.
It has been a challenging period for Nestle, and therefore, there is a feeling of satisfaction at bringing back Maggi noodles to the market.”
However, while the Press release was silent on whether the product has got clean chit from the Food and Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for sale in the open market, a representative from the Nestle India, when contacted, claimed “the FSSAI approval has been received.”
In June, the FSSAI had banned Maggi noodles, saying it was “unsafe and hazardous” for consumption after finding in it lead beyond permissible limits. It had led to a case in the Mumbai High court which had directed for a test for the safety of the product.
Maggi has been re-launched in 100 towns through 300-odd distributors and will be rolled out in many more areas in the coming days, Nestle India Chairman and Managing Director Suresh Narayanan said.
“Most states do not have a ban on sale of Maggi noodles. For States where specific directions are required, we are engaging with them,” Nestle India said.
The company is presently manufacturing Maggi noodles at three locations --- Nanjangud (Karnataka), Moga (Punjab) and Bicholim (Goa).
Soon after the ban, the company had withdrawn the Maggie from the market and also destroyed over 30,000 tonnes of the instant noodles. The Consumer Affairs Ministry had filed a class action suit against Nestle India, seeking about Rs 640 crore in damages for alleged unfair trade practices, false labelling and misleading advertisements.