Nestle Bicholim plant set to resume noodles manufacture

PANJIM: Nestle India Ltd is set to commence manufacturing variants of Maggi instant noodles at its Maulinguem, Bicholim plant as it claims to have cleared the mandated tests at three government laboratories. The sale of the popular product will, however, kick-off when the freshly-manufactured products also get a green signal from the designated labs.

While the company is positive about the production, it is yet to review the manpower requirement even as over 500 contractual workers were laid down after the fallout in June.

“We have received test results. All the 90 samples, covering six variants, tested by these laboratories are clear with lead much below the permissible limits. In compliance with the orders of the Bombay High Court, we will now commence manufacture and will start selling only after the newly manufactured products are also cleared by the three labs,” a Nestle India, spokesperson from Gurgaon told Herald in an email interview.

Asserting that Maggi noodles will soon be on the shelves across the State, the company is, however, not certain when owing to various procedures such as engaging with the authorities and stakeholders to activate the process.

“Re-starting the manufacturing process and bringing Maggi noodles to the market is a process that requires alignment with several stakeholders, including our suppliers, distributors and retailers among others, and we would not like to provide a specific date,” he added.

At the time when the company withdrew Maggi noodles from the State, the Bicholim plant was manufacturing Maggi Masala Noodles, Maggi Veg Atta Noodles and Maggi Chicken Noodles.

Asked whether the workers who were let out of the jobs after the stoppage of production will be taken back, the spokesperson stated, “The contract workers are employees of service providers who are independent business entities. When we resume operations, we will review the requirement and accordingly engage with service providers.”