Summary of Research Findings

This article refers to food intended for the elderly or individuals with difficulty swallowing or chewing as "dysphagia-friendly" and "mastication-friendly," respectively. It also defines "frailty-prevention food" as nutrient-rich food intended for seniors who lack proper nutrition due to small appetites. This type of food aims to prevent the need for long-term care. In FY2024, the dysphagia-friendly food segment reached 36.86 billion yen, which was a 0.7% increase from the previous fiscal year. The mastication-friendly food segment reached 33.03 billion yen, an increase of 4.3%. The frailty-prevention food segment reached 31.36 billion yen, also an increase of 4.3%.

Market growth was driven by a rapidly aging society, an increasing number of elderly individuals in need of support and care (*), shortages of medical and long-term care professionals, and increased home care and treatment. Improving quality of life (QOL) for the elderly and patients requires support for both proper nutrition and maintaining an appetite. Dysphagia foods, mastication-friendly foods, and frailty-prevention foods support these goals, and these markets are growing.

Demand for labor-saving foods is surging due to kitchen staff shortages in hospitals and long-term care facilities, rising labor costs, and growing dependence on meal delivery services. The increasing popularity of fully prepared frozen foods that can be served directly after thawing and heating, or even thawed naturally or under running water, reflects this trend. These “reheat and serve” meals reduce the workload in various settings.

In home care settings, meals purchased online or through mail-order catalogs are valued for their convenience. They meet the needs of individuals, including those who buy in bulk. Additionally, products that can be stored at room temperature for extended periods have become popular for everyday use and disaster preparedness.

*) Source: Long-Term Care Insurance Business Status (Annual Report) 2023 by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.

Noteworthy Topics

Dysphagia-Friendly Foods, Mastication-Friendly Foods, and Frailty-Prevention Foods Will be the Foundation for Medical and Long-Term Care

In the future, the total market for dysphagia-friendly, mastication-friendly, and frailty-prevention foods is expected to grow. This growth will result in a greater variety of products, higher sales volume, expanded usage opportunities, and a changing perception of these foods. Traditionally, these foods were considered highly specialized items used primarily in hospitals and long-term care facilities. However, they have the potential to be used by individuals receiving or providing care at home, as well as by the general public for daily nutrition. They could also be used as emergency food stockpiles and as labor-saving foods in facility operations.

As attention turns to nutrition, frailty, and sarcopenia, frailty-prevention foods are enhancing their preventive features to promote healthy life expectancy. Both dysphagia- and mastication-friendly foods must improve in taste and appearance. They must stimulate appetite through visual appeal, taste, nutritional design, and user-friendliness. All these foods should be developed not only in terms of safety but also in terms of whether they will stimulate continued appetite.

Meanwhile, challenges remain regarding their use among general consumers, including those receiving or providing long-term care at home. These challenges include inadequate product descriptions on packages and at the point of sale, as well as difficulty selecting products. Future market growth depends on creating purchaser-friendly environments in mail order systems, retail outlets, and meal services, by collaborating with medical and long-term care professionals and developing easy-to-understand product labels. The total market for these foods exceeded 100 billion yen by FY2024. Further growth is expected in the medium to long term, as these foods will support the daily diets of the elderly population.

Research Outline