Achievement by 2020: 2) Health and Pharmaceuticals
Amino acids are a basic building block of all life forms. Ajinomoto is determined to be more proactive in clarifying the diverse functions and benefits of amino acids in the health and pharmaceutical sectors as well as with people around the world.
Contributing to the Healthcare Field
Supporting and encouraging patients through pharmaceutical business activities
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Visitors experience a narrowed visual field at the Appreciation Day for Residents of the Local Community |
Information on Crohn's disease is available at IBD Navi. |
A nutritional supplement created by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is being employed in nutrition therapy for intractable Crohn's disease. This prompted the company to work even more diligently to improve the quality of life of Crohn's disease patients and their families, and to help them better understand the disease. The Ajinomoto Group now provides information about Crohn's disease on its Web site and cooperates with health professionals and patients' associations to support activities through public lectures, cooking classes and social events.
Patients who have participated in these events have made remarks such as, “I understand the disease better now,” “I learned some tips for enjoying meals,” and “I have gained more confidence to face the disease.” Other feedback was given directly to the Ajinomoto Group: “I want you to develop food products that mitigate the disease,” and “I enjoy your products with peace of mind.”
The Ajinomoto Group believes that physical activity can also help improve the quality of life of people afflicted with intractable diseases. Accordingly, it sponsors NANFES1 events, whose participants include people with different diseases and disabilities. Ajinomoto will continue supporting NANFES events together with its fellow members of society who are fighting intractable diseases.
1. NANFES: Now Advancing to Normalization For Everyone's Sustainability
NANFES events and other activities are held regularly with the aim of creating a society in which its members can live together with mutual respect regardless of who has intractable diseases or disabilities. These events include activities that encourage the development of flexible, positive, and understanding communities.
Universal design applied to food products
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Soft Shumai Chinese dumplings with spinach |
As Japan's population rapidly ages, the number of persons staying at hospitals and nursing homes has exceeded two million, spurring the growing need for and use of healthcare foods. At the same time, expectations for a higher quality of life as expressed in the desire for delicious meals raises demand for flavorful food products that are easy to consume and prepare.
In 2002, the Japan Care Food Conference established certification standards for universal design foods (UDF) tailored for elderly persons with weakened chewing and swallowing abilities and persons receiving dental care. The Ajinomoto Group has launched UDF-certified frozen foods for commercial-use such as soft shumai Chinese dumplings and soft red-bean jelly. Assisted-living residents have complimented the foods for their “good color with a soft texture and delicious flavor.” Facility cooks have praised the foods for “offering a selection of flavors for daily food items that come in just the right amounts, on top of being soft.”
Ajinomoto will continue meeting society's needs by delivering great tasting food products featuring familiar flavors and textures that people prefer.
| Classification | 1. Food can be chewed easily | 2. Food can be mashed with the gums | 3. Food can be mashed with the tongue | 4. Food does not need to be chewed | Food can be thickened |
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| Consumer's chewing ability | Some difficulty eating hard or large items | Difficulty eating hard or large items | Can eat small and soft items | Difficulty eating even small solids | A product used to thicken drinks and foods to give them body and make them easier to swallow. Different types form a jelly-like substance while others thicken drinks and foods by dissolving the product in water. |
| Consumer's swallowing ability | Can swallow normally | May have difficulty swallowing depending on the item | May have difficulty swallowing water and tea | Difficulty swallowing water and tea |
