WORLD leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company, Nestlé, on Tuesday announced a research partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The partnership is aimed at contributing to various research and development work based on indigenous South African biodiversity and aims to evaluate the potential for nutra-ceutical and functional foods with proven health benefits.

The agreement follows the 2011 visit by delegates from the CSIR, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Technology and Innovation Agency (TIA) to the Nestlé Research Centre (NRC) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

During the visit, Nestlé demonstrated its leading research and development capabilities, research programmes and the company’s experience in translating academic research into beneficial, commercial products. Nestlé, CSIR and the DST all expressed a mutual interest towards making a worthwhile contribution to the scientific development of South Africa (SA) and Africa as a whole.

“We will also explore ways to translate this work into tangible food products that will benefit consumers in SA, as well as other parts of the world,” said executive board member of Nestlé, Nandu Nandkishore. According to CSIR CEO, Sibusiso Sibisi, the joint venture would provide CSIR scientists with access to international technologies in the field of functional foods with demonstrated health benefits.

The partnership would serve to increase the CSIR’s understanding of industry development cycles and requirements for the commercialisation of such products. In addition it would add value to indigenous resources through modern technologies in developing new food-based products. “New products developed through this collaboration will be manufactured in SA in compliance with international standards, leading to development of new skills and ultimately creation of new jobs in the biosciences industry,” Sibisi said.

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