Manvendra Amber Shukla, the global CEO of CG Foods, announced that the company will begin reducing salt in select variants of its noodles by 10–25% starting next quarter. This decision aligns with the growing regulatory pressure and heightened consumer awareness regarding health.
“What the government is doing in terms of regulation is definitely welcome; it is positive for consumers, positive for the ecosystem, and a responsibility of all organizations towards consumers,” Shukla said.
The salt reduction will initially target the spicier variants of Wai Wai noodles. “In India, starting next quarter, we will start the first phase of reducing salt by 10%, starting with spicy noodles. As we move forward, we will reduce salt up to 25% in other variants of our portfolio,” Shukla explained.
Additionally, CG Foods is planning to introduce healthier variants, such as millet noodles, and to renew its focus on atta (whole wheat) noodles.
Growth Plans Wai Wai was formally launched in India two decades ago by CG Foods, owned by Nepalese billionaire Binod Chaudhary. For the financial year 2024–25, CG Foods targets 15% growth, focusing on larger packs priced at ₹15 and above and expanding its reach beyond core geographies like the Northeast.
“We are in a leadership position in some segments in the Northeast; we want to take this leadership to other parts of the country, such as the Hindi heartland and the western part of India, where we are not that strong,” Shukla added.
Wai Wai competes with category leader Nestlé’s Maggi and ITC’s Sunfeast Yippee in the instant noodles market.