In support of trial production, evaluations, and food and beverage concepts, Takasago International Corp. (Tokyo) has opened an 800-sq m food design center at its Hiratsuka, Japan-based corporate R&D site. The center aims to innovate new technologies for flavors and food ingredients for products such as beverages, frozen and and non-frozen desserts, milk products, ready-cooked foods, chewing gum, candy, tablet candy, curry, ramen noodle soup, potato chips, and more. The site includes production and evaluation areas, a kitchen, and a meeting space.