Nestle supplies Maggi noodles to rain-hit Chennai

The company is listed among the top suppliers of food and beverage products for people in Chennai

After remaining at loggerheads with the government over ban on Maggi noodles, Nestle India was on Sunday listed among the top suppliers of food and beverage products for people affected by heavy rains in Chennai.

Among other products, Nestle has also supplied the 'two-minute' Maggi noodles to the Tamil Nadu government towards the relief operations.

In a statement, Minister for Food Processing Industries, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that the industry should ensure that there is no shortage of milk, packaged food articles and bottled water for the people of Chennai.

"It is time to stand up and make exemplary contribution for the flood affected people of Chennai who have been patronizing food brands and products manufactured by the industry," she said.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries said it is coordinating with all food processing companies for supply of packaged milk, packaged food and bottled water and also listed out names of eight companies who have made available supplies of food and beverage products to the Tamil Nadu Government at Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

The list of seven such companies included Nestle India on the top with supplies of 10 MT of noodles, 5000 litres of tetra packed milk and 50000 pouches of coffee.

"Further additional quantity approximately 25-30 MT of noodles, about 8 MT Munch and Sunrise Biscuits 800 Kgs is also being supplied," the Ministry statement said.

Nestle's Maggi noodles were banned by the central food regulator FSSAI and various state food departments over alleged presence of lead and taste enhancer MSG beyond permissible limits, but the ban was later lifted after orders from the courts. The product was recently relaunched.

Besides, ITC has supplied 6 truckloads consisting of 3163 boxes of biscuits. MTR has supplied about 14128 ready-to-eat food packets and another quantity of 35000 ready-to-eat food packets will be delivered by Monday.

Britannia has supplied 3 truckload of 345 boxes of biscuits today and remaining 2 truckloads of food items. They have also been requested to supply additional quantity of milk produce and some bread.

Coca Cola India has supplied ready with 50000 one liter water bottles, while Pepisco has supplied 12000 one liter water bottles and arranging transport to supply today.

Parle is arranging to send 3 truckload of Parle biscuits, it added.

Photograph: PTI