Easy-to-Eat Foods: Supporting Elderly Nutrition and Quality of Life
When we think of healthy diets for seniors, common associations are “light,” “soft,” or even “dietary supplements.” However, the real solution for elderly nutrition lies in a growing category of easy-to-eat foods, also known as texture-modified foods for seniors. These products are designed for older adults with chewing or swallowing difficulties, while still providing balanced nutrition.
In Japan, this market is already mature, with an estimated value of over 50 billion RMB, and standardized product classifications. In China, however, the industry is still in its early stages but presents huge potential.
Development of Functional Foods for Seniors in China
China’s elderly food industry has historically focused on dietary supplements. Its development can be divided into four stages:
Early Stage (1980s): dominated by traditional tonics.
Growth Stage (1990s): functional foods entered rapid expansion.
Crisis of Trust (late 1990s): exaggerated claims led to skepticism.
Revival (2003–present): international players entered, driving standardization.
In recent years, functional foods such as sugar-free, additive-free, and nutrition-enhanced products have grown popular among all age groups. Yet for the elderly population with chewing and swallowing difficulties, the most relevant innovations are “easy-to-eat” and “ready-to-eat” solutions.
Two Key Concepts: Easy-to-Eat and Ready-to-Eat
Easy-to-eat: addressing the ability to chew and swallow. With age, seniors often face declining oral and digestive functions, making soft, chewable, and swallow-friendly meals a necessity.
Ready-to-eat: addressing convenience. For families and senior care institutions, cooking three meals a day is time- and labor-intensive. Pre-cooked, nutritionally balanced meals significantly reduce preparation time while maintaining taste and quality.
These features make easy-to-eat foods a practical and scalable solution for elderly nutrition.
Overseas Brands Lead the Market
At the Shanghai International Exhibition of Senior Care (Elderly Expo), it is clear that foreign brands dominate China’s easy-to-eat food sector.
Maruha Nichiro (Japan): one of the top players in Japan’s elderly soft food market. Its meals are made from fish, poultry, eggs, and vegetables, and are so soft that many can be mashed with just gums or the tongue.
DSM-Firmenich (Netherlands): offers a wide range of meat, vegetable, and fruit-based easy-to-eat meals. With heat-and-serve convenience, they save care institutions and families significant time and resources.
By contrast, while China Nutrition Society released national group standards for easy-to-eat foods in 2021, domestic brands remain at a preliminary stage, with limited large-scale players.
Policy Support and Market Opportunities
According to UN projections, by the second half of this century, 40–45% of China’s population will be aged 60 or above, with over 100 million seniors aged 80+. This demographic shift represents a massive blue ocean market for elderly nutrition and easy-to-eat foods.
Policy is also providing strong momentum. In 2023, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and 10 other departments issued the Action Plan for Actively Developing Elderly Meal Services, aiming to expand community-based elderly dining services nationwide by 2025.
At the industry level, companies such as Laoyouji Smart Dining, Shanghai Kangyang Group, and other smart meal service platforms are exploring integrated solutions, from community canteens to home meal delivery systems.
Future Outlook: From Import Reliance to Local Innovation
Elderly nutrition is not a small matter—it impacts millions of households. To strengthen the “silver economy,” China’s easy-to-eat food industry could focus on:
Localized product development that aligns with Chinese culinary habits.
Integrated supply chains from farming to distribution.
Smart food technology, enabling personalized diets through data-driven nutrition.
Improved standards and regulation, ensuring food safety and efficacy.
With demographic demand, policy guidance, and technological innovation, easy-to-eat foods for seniors will become an essential part of China’s elderly care system, helping to safeguard the happiness of seniors at the dining table.