In Taiwan, by 2025, it's expected that more than 20% of the population will be elderly, making it an "ultra-aged" society. This is a big deal because, at that time, about one in five older people in Taiwan would have trouble eating normally due to swallowing difficulties. Recognising this need, a new company from Singapore called GentleFoods is creating special food that's easier to swallow. How can this business come up with solutions for health-related challenges in an aging population?

“GentleFoods means that we want to make food gentle and healthy for the elderly,” said Yiru Shen, co-founder of GentleFoods. Shen came up with this idea when her grandma was diagnosed with dementia, which made her forget how to chew or eat food. In this situation, Shen’s grandma can only have a liquid diet, such as porridge or milk. As a family member of the patient, Shen witnessed her loved one losing interest in eating due to the lack of variety and enjoyment in their meals. In the long term, they eventually suffered from malnutrition.

Addressing this issue requires much more than just providing “soft food”. According to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative, known as IDDSI, there are eight levels of diet and fluid texture modification, which help improve safety and identification. IDDSI Testing Methods are intended to confirm the flow or textural characteristics of a particular product at the time of testing, which helps food manufacturers produce specific levels of food for different health conditions. GentleFoods considers the IDDSI framework throughout its product development, focusing on catering to individuals with swallowing difficulties.

Soft food is much more complicated than you think

After graduating from the National University of Singapore with a Molecular and Physiological Ph.D., Shen decided to make the perfect soft food for patients or the elderly who can’t properly chew. Despite her profession in biochemistry, she still faced great challenges at the beginning.

“You will need to understand the chemistry of each food very well,” said Shen. GentleFoods faces a delicate balancing act in getting the right ratio of water and stabilizers for each food item. For instance, foods rich in protein, like chicken, can be more easily shaped into a soft yet cohesive form. However, many foods don't adapt as well to this process.

Understanding the chemistry of each ingredient might involve removing water or adding elements that help in forming the right texture. It's a sophisticated process to achieve the specific levels of softness and consistency required for safe and enjoyable consumption by those with swallowing difficulties. GentleFoods aims to meet specific levels, particularly levels 5 and 6 of IDDSI, which are critical for individuals with varying degrees of swallowing difficulties. At the same time, they need to carefully adjust their recipes to maintain both the appearance and nutrient content, such as calories and protein.

Shen didn’t fight alone. When she found that she still had a lot of things to learn about swallowing and dysphagia, which means objective impairment or difficulty in swallowing, she turned to Evelyn Khoo. Khoo is a specialist speech and language therapist, who brings her extensive expertise and passion to the team. Khoo, as the Clinical Director and founder of Aphasia SG, has been a vocal advocate for persons with aphasia (PWA) and their caregivers. Her work with Aphasia SG, the first non-profit organization of its kind in Singapore, reflects her commitment to this cause.

Khoo has more than 10 years of clinical experience, during which she came across a lot of older patients with difficulty of swallowing. Traditionally, the approach to addressing swallowing difficulties has involved physically altering food — either by chopping it finely, thickening liquids, or pureeing solids. This was done to prevent the risk of aspiration pneumonia, which can occur if food enters the lungs. However, Evelyn understands that effectively addressing swallowing difficulties requires more than just using a blender. A good product for people with swallowing issues must have the right consistency; it shouldn't be too thick or too sticky, as this can also pose challenges.

She resonates deeply with Shen's vision for GentleFoods. Recognizing the brand's potential to significantly improve the quality of life for patients, she sees their products as not just suitable but also promoting health and well-being.