I just learnt that Nestle’s instant noodles product Maggi Cuppa Mania is off the market until further notice. I think the product sucked (not as much as Pot Noodles in the UK though, which sucks big time) but thats not the reason it’s been taken off the shelves.
Apparently, the owners of Yo! China felt that the flavors Maggi Cuppa Mania came in, namely Masala Yo and Chilli Chow Yo (sillly names anyhow), infringed their brand. In response to a complaint, the Delhi High Court has ordered Nestle to stop manufacturing, selling, marketing, stocking and indeed any and all activities related to the noodles.
So far so good. Here’s where it gets downright stupid. A spokesperson for Yo! China states that the phrase ‘Yo!’ is associated with Chinese noodles. What they’re effectively saying is that, if you say ‘Yo!’ to any person in their target market, the person instantly thinks of Chinese noodles, begins to salivate and then heads off in search of the nearest Yo! China outlet. Inflated ego or stupidity, I’m really not sure.
Lets keep it to brand infringement, shall we guys?
‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not Yo!.
What’s Yo!? it is nor nutritious, nor healthy,
Nor oil-free, nor vegan, nor any other food
Worthy of man. O, be some other name!
What’s in a name? that which we call a Yo!
By any other name would taste just as saturated with MSG;
So Masala Yo would, were he not Masala Yo call’d,
Retain that dear perfection which it thinks it has
Without that title. Masala Yo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take none of myself – think of another thyself.
- Sid
That was brilliant Siddhartha! Lines from Romeo and Juliet so cunningly rewritten and apt to the ‘t’.
Did you try Pot Noodles? And were they truly awful?
Yes, I did try Pot Noodles – twice.
For one, they require hot water, waiting for two minutes, stirring and then another 2 minute wait. Top Ramen noodles require only a two minute wait.
Next, they’re somewhere between spaghetti and chinese noodles and despite following the instructions, aren’t cooked through.
Finally, I don’t like the flavor, despite my varied palate – however, that could be a cultural thing.
I’ve tried Indian, Thai, Chinese, British and Japanese instant noodles and have only disliked the British. Could be the Asian common link I guess.
I tried them just once – never again!