In September 1984, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Planning and Development, Ratu David Toganivalu, inaugurated the Fine Foods (Fiji) Ltd factory located at Wailada Estate in Lami. The Fiji Times reported on September 28 that Ratu David received a traditional Fijian welcome ceremony and was presented with a tabua upon his arrival.
The opening event was attended by approximately 150 guests, including local entrepreneurs who would distribute Maggi 2-minute noodles across Fiji and neighboring South Pacific nations, alongside representatives from Nestle Australia and CJ Patel.
Following the formal proceedings, guests were escorted in groups of seven on a tour of the facility, which featured a clean and well-equipped staff room, complete with tea-making facilities. Hygiene was prioritized, evidenced by the modern changing rooms, complete with showers and toilets.
A key point of interest during the tour was the quality control laboratory, where raw materials and finished products underwent testing to ensure the highest standards. This lab was equipped with essential tools, including an incubator and a hot air oven.
The production area was powered by an automatic diesel engine, which supported a broiler and service room alongside the hot water system. The storage section was filled with sacks of Australian wheat flour and large drums of vegetable oil.
The factory employed automated machinery, including a 250 kg mixer that precisely measured the liquid ingredient for the noodles before directing them through a steaming tunnel. This steam cooking process ensured the noodles were fully cooked.
Once prepared, the noodles were placed on a conveyor belt and arranged in rows before being transferred to the frying system, where they were cooked in top-grade vegetable oil using an automated process that controlled the oil level and temperature, minimizing fire hazards.
After frying, the noodles passed through a cooling tunnel and were then positioned onto conveyor belts, ready to be packaged in the signature yellow two-minute noodle bags, weighing 93 grams each. Finally, packers on the assembly line completed the process by placing the noodles into cartons for distribution.