The Pure Food Co launches breakfast breakthrough as new care standards loom

The Pure Food Co is bringing brekky back for the tens of thousands of older Aussies with swallowing difficulties who are no longer able to enjoy the most important meal of the day.

The award-winning nutrition technology innovator has today launched a smorgasbord of texture-modified hot breakfast classics, including omelettes, French toast, pork sausages, and baked beans.

The move comes ahead of the introduction of the Federal Government’s new, Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards on July 1, which will mandate that operators tailor their meal offerings to meet the preferences of individual residents, including those with special dietary requirements.

Key points: The new Food and Nutrition Standard

• The new Aged Care Quality Standard 6: Food and Nutrition focuses on improving the quality of life for older people in residential aged care through better food, nutrition, and dining experiences.
• It is built on a person-centred approach where food and drinks are tailored to individual needs and preferences, while still being nutritious appetising and safe.
• Standard 6 also states that the dining experience should be enjoyable, promote variety, and foster a sense of belonging.
• Menu planning and design, the provision of high-quality and nutritious texture-modified foods, and the ability for food and drink to be shared with visitors are also key priorities.

The Pure Food Co Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Sam Bridgewater, said the tens of thousands of older Aussies who require a texture-modified diet are currently trapped in a “breakfast Groundhog Day”.

“It’s warm Weetbix or porridge every day of their lives when we know they’re yearning for the sight, smell and taste of a traditional hot cooked breakfast,” Mr Bridgewater said.

“We think that’s the very least our elders should expect to start their day, so we’ve spent months developing a range of traditional breakfast options that provide the flavours they remember coupled with the nutrition they need.”

Mr Bridgewater said the impending introduction of the new Quality Standards are driving a sector-wide rethink of meal offerings and The Pure Food Co is launching the new breakfast options to meet that moment.

“We know that many aged care operators struggle to provide a wide variety of high-quality, nutritious breakfast options that are safe for residents on texture-modified diets to eat, and that gap needs to be filled if they’re going to be compliant with the new Standards.

“They’ve told us they want to be able to provide better breakfast options for residents, but it’s just not that easy. Until now.”

Like all of the company’s chef-inspired meals, the traditional breakfasts are enhanced with additional protein and nutrients to support care residents’ overall health and wellbeing.

Mr Bridgewater said the launch of The Pure Food Co’s new breakfast range brought the company another step closer to fulfilling its foundational mission to nourish the world’s seniors.

“We believe that dignity is all about choice, so we want every older Aussie to have the option of a delicious, nutritious meal to start the day no matter where they are on their ageing journey.”

About The Pure Food Co:

The Pure Food Co is the market leader in the textured modified food sector. It takes a food science and technology approach to manufacturing ready-made, safe and delicious textured modified foods for aged care facilities and hospitals and has partnerships with many of these providers. All 4,500 meal choices adhere to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), guaranteeing consistency and reliability at every stage of the food journey.

To find out more about The Pure Food Co, click here.

You can also find more information about the Strengthened Quality Standards here.