The Pure Food Co makes sweet dreams come true in aged care

The texture modified food experts, whose products are served in almost 600 facilities in Australia, has launched a range of nutritionally-rich desserts that can be devoured by residents on texture modified and standard diets alike.

The Pure Food Co’s Co-Founder and Co-CEO Sam Bridgewater said the new creamy lemon cheesecake and chocolate mud slice are “all about breaking down the barriers” that often-separate residents on texture modified diets from the people they dine with.

“These desserts wouldn’t look or taste out of place in a French patisserie, but they’ve been subtly designed so they can be enjoyed by people with swallowing difficulties, too,” Sam said.

The latest innovation from The Pure Food Co has been launched to coincide with new regulatory demands from the Australian Government’s Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to cater for an array of resident needs and preferences.

The food technology company, renowned for its award-winning texture modified meals, stated that the “all-important human factor” was the key driver behind the innovation.

 “When everyone, regardless of dietary needs, can participate in mealtimes, it honours their identity and reinforces a sense of belonging,” Sam said (pictured).

The Pure Food Co said with the new Aged Care Quality Standards now in force, The Pure Food Co’s sweet slices range will make life simpler for chefs in the sector.

“It means they’ll now have a simple, delicious go-to option that they know everyone can safely enjoy” Sam said.

He added every person needs around 50 per cent more protein in their diet as they age - not only those on texture modified diets - and the company’s new sweet slices were designed to meet that crucial nutritional need.

The desserts, which are gluten free, contain 5g of protein and 114mg of calcium per 50g serving.

“We wanted to create a dessert that everyone could tuck into so chefs had a delicious, nutritionally rich option they knew would see empty plates returned to the kitchen every single time, Sam added.

“Older Aussies deserve the very best in life wherever they are on their ageing journey, and now everyone can quite literally have their cake and eat it too.”

The Pure Food Co’s Innovation Manager Akarin Opassathavorn said the company’s dietitians and food technologists spent months developing the new dessert range.

“To make a slice that looks and tastes exactly like a traditional cheesecake but is also compliant with IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) guidelines was a really complex challenge,” Akarin said.

“It required a degree of subtlety and technical finesse to remain true to a much-loved dish but to make it accessible for everyone.”

He added the desserts invite chefs to add a touch of creative flair with an array of garnish and presentation options.

“The desserts were deliberately designed for busy aged care kitchens - you just slice, plate and serve - while also providing the perfect blank canvas to create something they can put their unique stamp on,” he said.