#Japan #Osaka #Cook Deli #Elderly Nutrition #Care Meals

Cook Deli: A New Era in Elderly Care Meals

Cook Deli Inc., headquartered in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, is launching its new series of elderly care meals aimed at providing safe, delicious, and fully cooked frozen food options for senior facilities. The company envisions a world where everyone can experience the joy of eating until their final moments. The "Cook Deli Elderly Meals" series includes soft food and pureed options designed to cater to the unique dietary needs of seniors.

This innovative series challenges the traditional standards of elderly nutrition, focusing on three key pillars: taste, nutritional balance, and portion sizes that are easy to consume. Cook Deli acknowledges the long-standing issues faced in caregiving, such as decreased appetite, insufficient nutrient intake, and caregiver burden, by delivering practical solutions through its new offerings.

Product Overview

The product line includes:

• - Cook Deli Soft Food (UDF Classification: Can be crushed with tongue)

This type of meal is soft enough to be easily crushed using the tongue, ensuring ease of swallowing.

• - Cook Deli Pureed Food (UDF Classification: No chewing required)

These meals are smooth and designed to be easily swallowed, presented in a paste-like consistency.

Key Features of Cook Deli Elderly Meals

• - Balancing Taste and Nutrition

Through rigorous testing and multiple prototypes, Cook Deli has succeeded in creating meals that are not only nutritious but also delicious. The bitterness and off-flavors often associated with enhanced nutrients have been minimized to ensure an enjoyable eating experience.

• - Softness and Shape Retention

Especially for soft foods, maintaining a consistent texture over time is critical. Cook Deli has developed a unique production method that preserves the desirable softness needed for ease of swallowing, even as the meal sits.

• - Portion Control for Nutritious Consumption

Adequate nutrition is meaningless if the meal cannot be finished. Cook Deli has optimized portion sizes, emphasizing the importance of finishing meals to enhance user satisfaction and reduce caregiver workload.

Addressing the Crisis of Malnutrition Among Seniors

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, approximately one in six individuals aged 65 and older are at risk of malnutrition, with nearly half considered to be in a state of “pre-frail.” Frailty refers to a decline in physical and mental capabilities due to aging and can lead to the need for nursing care if not addressed. Gaining sufficient nutrition is vital to prevent frailty, yet many elderly individuals face difficulties in basic eating and swallowing due to muscle and nerve degeneration.

Challenges in Elderly Care Meals

As swallowing capabilities decline, many elderly care meals often present challenges. Common issues may include:

• - Unappetizing appearance leading to decreased appetite
• - Lacking texture and flavor causing incomplete consumption
• - Increased volume due to thickeners, making meals difficult to finish, which also burdens caregivers with additional assistance required

The correlation between declining swallowing function and the need for quality care meals indicates that poor quality food can lead to insufficient nutrient intake, further exacerbating the cycle of malnutrition and frailty. Cook Deli aims to break this cycle by offering a series that harmonizes taste, portion, and nutritional balance.

About Cook Deli

Cook Deli specializes in providing fully cooked frozen meals for senior facilities, delivering over 170,000 servings daily to approximately 6,000 institutions in Japan. With Japan facing an aging population and a shortage of caregivers, Cook Deli's approach allows facilities to manage meal services with fewer staff. Committed to offering safe, delicious, and nutritionally balanced meals, Cook Deli strives to bring joy and smiles to all who benefit from its products, ultimately shaping the future of dining for seniors.

Company Overview

• - Company Name: Cook Deli Inc.
• - CEO: Ken Washitani
• - Location: 2F Shiono Building, 1-6-17 Kitahorie, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Japan
• - Phone: 06-6536-2302
• - Established: 2016
• - Business Scope: Research and development of food products for preventing frailty; planning, manufacturing, and sales of food products for the elderly.
• - Website: Cook Deli Official Site