The Bhutanese Leading the way.
BFDA to find out which batch of Wai-Wai is implicated
The popular instant noodle Wai-Wai, a product of the Chaudhary Group (CG) established in 1984 in Kathmandu, is widely distributed and eaten in Bhutan.
As per recent findings by the Market Monitoring Committee of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), there are serious health concerns about the product’s standards.
Following a consumer complaint about unnatural swelling in the noodles, the KMC’s Market Monitoring Committee conducted tests, revealing alarming results.
According to the monitoring inspector of the Metropolis, Dr Awadhesh Jha, samples of Wai-Wai noodles were sent to laboratories for quality assessments, and the findings were unsettling, indicating a deviation from standard quality parameters.
In a report shared by Metro News, sample of 150 grams of Wai-Wai from batch no.AL/YL23 was sent to the laboratory testing.
One particularly troubling aspect was the abnormal acid value detected in a specific lot of noodles signaling potential health hazards.
According to the lab report, the noodles had an acid value of 13.934 mg KOH/g Oil, which is higher than the acceptable limit of 1 mg KOH/g Oil.
Food Technician, Anil Basnet, stated that such high levels indicate poor quality oil used in the noodles, which could potentially lead to serious health issues like cancer upon continuous consumption.
S.K. Enterprises, the company responsible for selling the noodles, has written to the Metropolitan City, promising to recall the noodles distributed in the market and cease the sale of these substandard noodles.
Additionally, directives were issued to recall all affected products from the market, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue to safeguard consumer health.
To this, the company’s Managing Director, Nirvana Chaudhary, says that he perceives these allegations as an unfounded propaganda targeting the brand within Nepal.
Denouncing the allegations aimed at tarnishing the brand’s image, he urged consumers not to be swayed by misleading information, emphasizing the company’s strong commitment to quality assurance.
However, Nepal’s Department of Agriculture and Livestock has imposed the fine after substandard noodles were found following rigorous testing and the presence of acid in the noodles, were detected through repeated examinations, prompted regulatory action, including a hefty fine of NPR 200,000 imposed on the Chaudhary Group.
Despite the setbacks, including fines and product recalls, the visionary behind CG Foods’ success, Binod Choudhary, is now setting his sights on listing the conglomerate’s Indian food unit by 2026.
The Gurgaon-based firm, renowned for its iconic Wai-Wai noodles, aims to rival market leaders such as Maggi from Nestle Ltd. And ITC Ltd.’s Yippee.
This reflects CG’s unwavering determination to capitalize on emerging opportunities and solidify its position in the competitive Indian market.
When approached by The Bhutanese regarding the controversy, the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) affirmed their awareness of the issue, and said that they are yet to get response from Nepal Food Safety Authority.
According to The Kathmandu Post Wai-Wai is exported to 35 different countries from various factories, depending on cost, selling close to 2.8 billion packets a year.
