Johannesburg - Nestlé, the world's leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company, has announced on 5 March 2012 ground-breaking research partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a science council which reports to the Minister of Science and Technology.

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

This agreement follows the 2011 visit by delegates from the CSIR, Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Technology and Innovation Agency (TIA) to the Nestlé Research Centre (NCR) in Lausanne, Switzerland where Nestlé demonstrated its leading R&D capabilities, research programmes and the company's experience in translating academic research into commercial products that have a beneficial impact on the life of consumers.

Nestlé, CSIR and the DST have all expressed a mutual interest towards making a tangible contribution to the scientific development of South Africa and Africa as a continent.

"We are delighted to have this opportunity to fund future research projects at the CSIR and to share our scientific expertise with the South African scientific community. We expect that this collaboration will help to provide the scientific basis for sound Nutrition and Food Safety policies, as well as identifying research needs for science-based regulations on Food, Nutrition and Health. We will also explore ways to translate this work into tangible food products that will benefit consumers in South Africa, as well as other parts of the world," said Executive Board Member of Nestlé, Nandu Nandkishore.

CSIR CEO, Dr. Sibusiso Sibisi, said: "The joint venture will provide CSIR scientists with access to international technologies in the field of nutraceuticals, functional foods with demonstrated health benefits. It will also enhance our capacity to better understand industry development cycles and requirements for the commercialisation of such products. In addition, this will add value to our indigenous resources through exposure to modern technologies in developing new food-based products."

"New products developed through this collaboration will be manufactured in South Africa in compliance with international standards, leading to development of new skills and ultimately creation of new jobs in the Biosciences industry," he added.

The signing ceremony was attended by dignitaries from the DST, CSIR, TIA, Nestlé Global Zone Management and Nestlé South Africa board of directors and executive management.

For more information, please contact: 
Ravi Pillay
Spokesperson: Nestlé South Africa
011 514 6799 or 082 908 2580 or email ravi.pillay@za.nestlé.com