Nestle has announced on Tuesday that it had restarted the production of Maggi noodles in India after a government ban was overturned. “We have resumed manufacturing of Maggi Noodles in three of our plants, at Nanjangud (Karnataka), Moga (Punjab) and Bicholim (Goa),” the Swiss food giant said in a statement.

India’s food safety watchdog has slapped a nationwide ban on the noodles in June, stating that the lead levels exceeded the statutory limits. The Bombay high court has overturned the ruling two months later, calling it “arbitrary” and ordered fresh tests.

“We shall commence sale only after the samples are cleared by these laboratories,” Nestle said. Nestle’s Indian arm has estimated that its run-in with Indian regulators will cost the company 3.2 billion rupees ($50 million).

"In compliance with the orders of the High Court of Bombay, fresh samples from these newly manufactured batches will be sent for testing to the three accredited laboratories mandated by the High Court," Nestle said in a communiqué.

It said that the company is "engaging with the relevant state authorities and other stakeholders at other manufacturing locations to commence manufacture at the earliest".

Nestle India, took a hit of Rs 450 crore, including destroying over 30,000 tonnes of the instant noodles since June when it was banned. The Consumer Affairs Ministry had filed a class action suit against Nestle India seeking Rs 640 crore in damages for alleged unfair trade practices, false labeling and misleading advertisements.

By Premji