Nestle opens R&D facility in China

Nestle has opened a US$10.2 million research and development facility in Beijing, and emphasized that consumer safety is the company’s top priority, Reuters reported. Swiss-based Nestle, the world’s biggest food group, said the new center would be used for basic research as well as product development. Nestle products made in China were pulled from the shelves in Asia after traces of the chemical melamine were found. The company’s sales in developing markets, including China, grew 16.8% in the first three quarters of the year, almost double its average global growth, accounting for about a third of total sales. Nestle predicted that figure will rise to 40-45% in the next 10 years.