New Delhi, Nov. 3 -- Back in 2015, Maggi wasn't just synonymous with instant noodles-it defined instant food in India. Ten-minute deliveries were unheard of, and no restaurant meal could match the convenience of "2-minute Maggi."

So when the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned Maggi in June 2015 for allegedly containing lead beyond permissible limits, it didn't just shake public faith in instant food, it also rattled investor confidence in multinational food giants like Nestle. The company had to pull the product from shelves, and its stock price tumbled over 10% within days.

Nestle India responded with a carefully phased relaunch, stricter food safety standards, and a flurry of new products. The comeback worked:...