Nestlé strengthens food safety research in China

Swiss food giant Nestlé has strengthened its food safety research activities in China with a new research centre, Nestlé Food Safety Institute (NFSI), in Beijing.

Located at the company’s existing R&D centre, the NFSI will allow Nestlé to meet China’s increasing demand for healthy and safe food, and collaborate with authorities to help provide a scientific base for food safety policies and standards.

It will back early management of food safety issues, and partner with local universities, research institutes and government agencies to resolve them.

In addition, the centre will house professionals in risk assessment, early warning and scientific affairs, and encourage scientific communication, in addition to conducting food safety training programmes, the company said.

Nestlé chief technology officer Stefan Catsicas said that the inauguration underlines the company’s commitment to food safety and is another important highlight in the story of Nestlé’s successful and long-standing presence in China.

"I am in no doubt that the work of the Nestlé Food Safety Institute will contribute to creating shared value for Nestlé shareholders and for society in China," Catsicas added.

With around 5,000 people in R&D, Nestlé has the largest private food and nutrition research organisation in the world, and has various research partnerships with business partners and universities.

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Image: The institute will work with authorities to help provide a scientific foundation for food safety policies and standards. Photo courtesy of Nestlé SA.