Nestlé India launches new products to cut down reliance on Maggi noodles

Nestle India has begun introducing new products as it makes an effort to reduce its reliance on Maggi noodles, which contributed to 30% of its total sales in 2014.

As part of the product diversification effort, it launched a range of greek yoghurts under the brand name of NESTLÉ a+ GREKYO.

NESTLÉ a+ GREKYO is available in several variants such as strawberry, mango, pineapple and orange.

Positioned as a healthy and indulgent snack, it is low in fat and contains real fruit bits. It has 70% more protein and calcium as compared to NESTLÉ a+ Nourish Toned Dahi.

Nestlé India general manager for dairy Arvind Bhandari said: "We have introduced this product for the first time in India. A perfect blend of health and indulgence, NESTLÉ a+ GREKYO has a rich and creamy texture coupled with real fruit bits.

"Globally, the greek yoghurt category came into prominence less than a decade back and in certain countries it has already captured a major share of the entire yoghurt market. In India, this category is still at a nascent stage but we are confident that Nestlé will lead the global trend for the Indian consumers soon."

It has initially been launched in the Delhi NCR region and will soon be available in other major cities as well.

Nestle’s plans to diversify its product range in the country was announced by Suresh Narayanan, who became chairman and managing director last July when the firm was trying to surface from a food controversy.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned the manufacture and sale of Maggi noodles on 5 June due to presence of monosodium glutamate and excess lead.

As a result of this ban, Nestle could not sell Maggi noodles for six months.