Maggi regains over 50% noodle market share, launches new variants

Looking to claw back its market share in instant noodles segment, Nestle India has re-launched vegetable atta noodles and oats variants of Maggi noodles.

The company claimed that it has strengthened its leadership position in the category with more than 50 per cent market share after five months of the re-launch.

"With the latest re-launch, we are aiming to provide more choices to suit consumer preferences, driving greater volumes and building back our market share. I am happy that we have gained month-on-month and continue to lead the noodles category with over 50 per cent market share," Nestle India chairman and managing director Suresh Narayanan said.

The company has partnered e-commerce marketplace Snapdeal for an exclusive preview sale of a special kit for four packs of each variant, Nestle India said in a statement.

At present, Maggi noodles are available in two variants - Masala and Chicken. Nestle had re-launched Maggi in November after it went off the market for five months due to a ban by central food safety regulator FSSAI over alleged presence of lead beyond permissible limits.

Last week, its parent firm Nestle SA said its India business is "recovering faster than anticipated" although the performance will continue to impact the company's showing in Asia, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa (AOA) region.

Nestle had re-launched Maggi on 9 November after fulfilling conditions set by the Bombay High Court, which lifted the ban imposed by FSSAI and the Maharashtra FDA, which banned the product citing excessive lead content and MSG.

On 11 April, the Central Food Technological Research Institute had cleared Maggi instant noodles for consumption.