Indofood introduces cheap instant noodles

JAKARTA (JP): Giant food producer PT Indofood Sukses Makmur yesterday officially introduced a new, low-priced instant noodle product, Mi Peduli (care noodle), aimed at helping the poor.

Eva Riyanti Hutapea, the company's chief executive officer, said at the launching ceremony in Lemah Abang, Bekasi, that the product would retail for Rp 300 (two U.S. cents) per pack.

"We will distribute the noodles to poor people in villages in cooperation with the office of the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication."

She said the noodles had been marketed in several parts of the greater Jakarta area and in Java since July 24 in a bid to analyze public response.

"Since the noodles are intended mainly for the needy, we hope middle-class people, or people who can afford to buy regular instant noodles, do not buy this product."

The cheap noodles will be marketed through the end of the year, Eva said, adding that the product's distribution would be handled directly by Indofood's sales team in cooperation with local people, and not through ordinary distributors or agents.

During yesterday's ceremony, the company handed over a Rp 250 million donation to Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Haryono Suyono to help students of poor families.

At the same ceremony, food producer PT Nestle Indonesia also donated Rp 162 million in scholarships for students of needy families.

Nestle Indonesia president S.A. Issenmann said the donation was aimed at supporting poor children's education.

"We are confident that this contribution will be used to allow them to have access to an adequate education. It's our obligation and commitment to keep them in schools as long as possible," Issenmann said in a statement. (jun)