Bhubaneswar, Nov 2: Sarat Kumar Sahoo, the visionary founder of Ruchi Foodline, passed away today while undergoing treatment at a hospital. He was 75.

Sahoo was widely credited with establishing and popularising the Ruchi brand, turning it into a household name in Odisha and beyond. Under his leadership, Ruchi Foodline grew from a small local enterprise into a leading food company with operations across India and a presence in seven countries, supplying products through more than 18,000 outlets.

He founded the company in 1976 as Om Oil and Flour Mills (OFML), operating from a rented space in Cuttack’s Industrial Estate. With an initial investment of just ₹5,000, Sahoo built the Ruchi brand into one of the most trusted names in the Indian food industry.

What began with the production of pure turmeric powder gradually expanded into a diverse portfolio of products. Over nearly five decades, Ruchi has grown into a major manufacturer and exporter of spices, pasta, noodles, ready-to-eat meals, and other food products — carrying forward Sahoo’s legacy of quality and innovation.