Maggi noodles fly off shelves after re-launch

Ever since it was re-launched on Monday, the popular snack Maggi noodles has been flying off the shelves at stores and on digital platform Snapdeal, stakeholders said on Thursday.

After a five-month ban on the two-minute noodles for alleged high levels of lead and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), the Indian arm of the Swiss giant announced a pact with Snapdeal for the online sale of the instant noodles apart from re-introducing it in 100 cities in the country.

Snapdeal said on Thursday that the first batch of 60,000 Maggi welcome kits were sold out within five minutes of Maggi 'Flash Sale' going live. Registration for this sale opened on November 9.

Reliance Fresh CEO Damodar Mall confirmed the rousing consumer response. "Stocks are flying off the shelves," Mall told IANS.

"At 0015 hrs on Dhanteras, the first invoice for Maggi in the country was made to Reliance Retail, Kolkata distribution centre, by Nestle.

"Nestle has shared with us clearances they have from the states. By this weekend, the product should be available in all stores in states where the ban on Maggi noodles has been lifted," Mall said.

Reliance Fresh was supplying 'three-pack' noodles in this phase, he said.

Since customers at supermarkets expect quick availability of choices, Reliance Fresh has been working with Nestle team to live up to consumer expectations, he said.

"Patanjali noodles, launched in some north Indian markets, have evoked a good response," Mall added. - IANS