Kewpie's "Gentle Menu Smooth Sweet Potato and Chestnut Kinton" Wins Gold at 11th Nursing Care Food and Smile Care Food Contest in the Category for Individuals with Swallowing Difficulties
Kewpie's "Gentle Menu Smooth Sweet Potato and Chestnut Kinton" won a gold award at the 11th Nursing Care Food and Smile Care Food Contest in the "Food for Individuals with Swallowing Difficulties" category. It was highly praised for its consideration for familiar tastes and nutrition, even for those with dysphagia, and also contributes to reducing the burden on business caregivers.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (17h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 01:30 (491h 51m after Collected)
Kewpie Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Mitsuru Takamiya; hereinafter "Kewpie")'s "Gentle Menu Smooth Sweet Potato and Chestnut Kinton" won a gold award in the "Food for Individuals with Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia)" category at the 11th Nursing Care Food and Smile Care Food Contest, organized by The Japan Food Journal.
### What is "Gentle Menu Smooth Sweet Potato and Chestnut Kinton"?
The awarded "Smooth Sweet Potato and Chestnut Kinton" is a new product in the "Gentle Menu" series launched last September. It falls under the "No Chewing Required" category of Universal Design Foods (UDF). Products in the "No Chewing Required" category, such as purees and jellies, are soft and easy for people with weakened swallowing abilities to consume. However, making such textures at home can be time-consuming and difficult to achieve the appropriate consistency. Furthermore, this product provides 3.1g of dietary fiber and 124mg of calcium per bag, addressing often lacking nutritional components.
Our interviews also revealed that elderly people and those receiving care have a strong need to "eat the same familiar meals as much as possible." This product embodies Kewpie's desire for them to "continue to enjoy familiar tastes, such as those enjoyed during New Year's, forever."
### Reducing the burden on business caregivers: "Ready-to-use" commercial nursing care food that addresses social issues.
Currently, the increasing number of "business caregivers" – individuals who work while caring for family members – is a serious social issue. According to our "Survey on Awareness of Nursing Care" (reference *4), full-time business caregivers have a significantly high demand for commercial nursing care foods, indicating that these foods are becoming "ready-to-use solutions." While it is time-consuming to prepare "no-chewing-required" meals at home, utilizing this product can shorten cooking time and create more mental space for caregivers. This connection also contributes to alleviating the burden on caregivers.
### What is "Gentle Menu Smooth Sweet Potato and Chestnut Kinton"?
The awarded "Smooth Sweet Potato and Chestnut Kinton" is a new product in the "Gentle Menu" series launched last September. It falls under the "No Chewing Required" category of Universal Design Foods (UDF). Products in the "No Chewing Required" category, such as purees and jellies, are soft and easy for people with weakened swallowing abilities to consume. However, making such textures at home can be time-consuming and difficult to achieve the appropriate consistency. Furthermore, this product provides 3.1g of dietary fiber and 124mg of calcium per bag, addressing often lacking nutritional components.
Our interviews also revealed that elderly people and those receiving care have a strong need to "eat the same familiar meals as much as possible." This product embodies Kewpie's desire for them to "continue to enjoy familiar tastes, such as those enjoyed during New Year's, forever."
### Reducing the burden on business caregivers: "Ready-to-use" commercial nursing care food that addresses social issues.
Currently, the increasing number of "business caregivers" – individuals who work while caring for family members – is a serious social issue. According to our "Survey on Awareness of Nursing Care" (reference *4), full-time business caregivers have a significantly high demand for commercial nursing care foods, indicating that these foods are becoming "ready-to-use solutions." While it is time-consuming to prepare "no-chewing-required" meals at home, utilizing this product can shorten cooking time and create more mental space for caregivers. This connection also contributes to alleviating the burden on caregivers.