Is Nestle India planning to ditch Maggi?

Have you ever thought about an alternative to Maggi noodles? Well, Nestle India is mulling over it.

After the two-minute noodles was banned in India over excess lead content and MSG in it, Nestle India has started working hard to come up with a snack that would replace Maggi till it is repositioned.

"With no clarity over when Maggi in its existing form will be back on shelves, Nestle is working on alternate snacking options," one of two persons who confirmed the development told Economic Times, adding “Snacking is a huge opportunity which Nestle doesn't want to vacate, and it already has an existing backend for the culinary business."

While re-launching Maggi could take several months, Nestle India might launch a ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook food.

Nestle was guarded in its response to ET's queries. "We are working hard to resolve the situation and we aim to be back in the market as soon as we can. Adhering to Nestle's rigorous quality policies and testing protocol, we are confident that we will come back soon, ensuring food safety, as we always do," the Nestle spokesperson told the financial daily.

Maggi noodles accounts for a third of Nestle India’s business with sales of over Rs 2,000 crore.

Due to the ban, the plants in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Goa and Himachal Pradesh are suspended.

Meanwhile, Nestle India is working together to re-build the brand. Nestle Global Chief Executive Paul Bulcke said that the Maggi products were completely safe and were re-called as consumers faith had shaken.

"Food has never been safer. But there is this perception and we have to work on that. The only thing that interests me is to have the product back as soon as possible and that things are cleared up," he told news agency AFP.

"Any health concerns raised by a credible source such as FSSAI will most certainly damage customer loyalty and consideration of a food brand," said David Haigh, CEO of the London-based brand valuation consultancy.

(Image: Indiatimes)