Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan was in Bray this week to formally open the new Research and Development unit at Megazyme at the IDA Southern Cross business park.
The centre will carry out pioneering research in diagnostic food testing and develop a new test method for the ‘glycemic carbohydrate’ value of a food.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister welcomed the investment made by Megazyme in R&D in the food sector.
‘Such in-company investment contributes to the Government and EU objective of investing three per cent of GDP in R&D and supports the growth of high value indigenous product and the generation of net foreign earnings to Ireland.
‘Furthermore, the development of the test kits Megazyme specialises in underpins the production of high quality nutritious food for the consumer and enables improved consumer choice by identifying important ingredients and allowing for the correct labelling of food products, both of which are key food priorities of my Department.
“The economic and technological success experienced by Megazyme is testament to their technological expertise and investment in R&D and I wish them continued success in their endeavours.”
Megazyme Technical Director, Dr. Barry McCleary announced the imminent release of a new test kit which integrates measurement of both glycemic carbohydrates and dietary fibre.
This method will allow the accurate measurement of these two ‘groups’ of components and thus the correct labelling of foods where claims on carbohydrate content are made, he added.
Angela Kennedy, Business Director, Megazyme said that Megazyme would continue to invest in research and development.
As featured in The Bray People