In September 1984, Ratu David Toganivalu, the deputy prime minister and minister for Economic Planning and Development, inaugurated the Fine Foods (Fiji) Ltd factory at Wailada Estate in Lami. The Fiji Times reported on September 28 that year that Ratu David received a traditional Fijian welcome ceremony and was gifted a tabua upon his arrival.
The opening event was attended by approximately 150 guests, including local entrepreneurs who would market Maggi 2-minute noodles to consumers in Fiji and neighboring South Pacific nations, as well as representatives from Nestlé Australia and CJ Patel.
Following the formalities, attendees were grouped into sevens for a guided tour of the factory. They explored the pristine staff room equipped with tea-making facilities and amenities for employees. The factory prioritized hygiene, evident in the modern changing rooms that included showers and toilets.
The quality control laboratory drew significant interest as it was responsible for testing raw materials and finished products to ensure the highest quality standards. The lab featured equipment like an incubator and a hot air oven.
Additionally, a broiler and service room operated with an automatic diesel engine, which also housed the hot water system. The storage area was filled with sacks of Australian wheat flour and large drums of vegetable oil.
The factory utilized advanced automation for its machinery, including a 250kg mixer that precisely measured the liquid components for the noodles. These components then passed through a steaming tunnel, fully cooking the noodles.
The noodles traveled on a conveyor belt in triplets before being divided into groups of six, which were then sent through a fully automated frying system using first-grade vegetable oil. This frying operation had pre-set oil levels and temperatures and employed steam heating, minimizing fire risks.
After frying, the noodles went through a cooling tunnel and emerged on conveyor belts, ready for packaging in the signature yellow two-minute bags, each weighing 93 grams. Packers finalized the process by placing the packed noodles into cartons for distribution.