Nestle expects to relaunch Maggi noodles in the Indian market by the end of this year. This comes after the Bombay High Court lifted the ban on the noodles last month and directed new tests within six weeks to check compliance with the country's food safety standards.
Nestle India chief Suresh Narayanan was quoted in an interview by India Today TV as saying: "We are targeting to get the product (into the market) by the end of this year. By the end of September the process of testing, which has been directed by the Bombay High Court should be completed."
The chief said that if Maggi noodles passes all the tests at the laboratories, as per the directives of the Bombay High Court, the company will begin manufacture of noodles in India. Following this, there would be another round of tests conducted on the products, reported IANS.
Narayanan also expressed disappointment regarding the government's INR6.4bn ($95.7m) lawsuit against the food company over unfair trade practices.
"As far as Nestle is concerned, we are very disappointed with the case that has been preferred on us. It's a case on the grounds entirely based on FSSAI's contentions which have been presented before the high court.
"This is a question of our trust and reputation, and we would defend it vigorously when called upon to do so."
On 5 June, Maggi noodles were banned in the country when the industry regulator found more than permissible levels of lead and high quantities of mono-sodium glutamade (MSG) in the tests conducted on a batch of products.
