Essential for the Chronic Disease Era: Understanding and Choosing Patient-Specific Foods Correctly!

 For those living with chronic diseases, dietary management is not an option but a necessity. 

Patients with specific conditions like diabetes or kidney disease often find it challenging to get adequate nutrition from regular meals, or they may need to restrict certain ingredients. 

To assist these individuals, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in Korea has established special standards, classifying 'Patient-Specific Foods'. 

What exactly are these foods, what types exist, and why are they so crucial? Let's explore all of that today!

Unveiling Patient-Specific Foods: What are Foods for Special Medical Purposes?

The MFDS manages various food classifications through its 'Food Code' to ensure public health and safety. Among these classifications, 'Foods for Special Medical Purposes' is what we commonly refer to as patient-specific foods.

Foods for Special Medical Purposes are designed for individuals whose normal ability to ingest, digest, absorb, or metabolize food is limited due to illness, surgery, or other medical conditions, or who have unique nutritional requirements different from healthy individuals. These foods are manufactured and processed to partially or entirely replace meals, providing nutrition either orally (by mouth) or through enteral feeding (via a tube).

Hygiene and Convenience: Packaging and Delivery Methods

Patient-specific foods are typically produced in cans or retort-sterilized pouch bags. This ensures they meet high hygienic standards, which is especially critical for enteral feeding where nutrition is supplied directly via a tube. These packaging methods help patients and caregivers consume the food easily and safely.

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The Patient-Specific Food Market: Current Status and Future Outlook

The patient-specific food market is a rapidly growing and promising sector, driven by the increasing chronic disease population and the aging trend. While it was once primarily known only among patients and their families, growing health awareness has led to its importance gradually spreading to the general public.

This market is considered a prime example of the silver industry. Not only are large corporations like Daesang, Pulmuone, and Samyook Foods actively involved, but innovative medium-sized companies and startups are also entering the field. The development of customized foods that meet patients' specific ingredient restrictions or nutritional needs is thriving, and this is expected to drive the market's continued growth.

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Don't Get Confused! Differences Between Patient-Specific Foods and Other Food Types

With so many types of food, it's easy to get confused! Patient-specific foods have clear distinctions from health functional foods, elderly-friendly foods, and others. Let's clarify the purpose and target audience for each.

• 1. Foods for Special Medical Purposes (Patient-Specific Foods)

  • Purpose: To provide nutrition or restrict/supplement specific nutrients for patients requiring special dietary management due to illness or specific medical conditions.
  • Target Audience: Patients who need dietary control due to illness (e.g., foods for diabetic patients, foods for kidney disease patients).
  • Characteristics: Consumed under medical guidance, developed specifically to aid in the management of particular diseases. (Food Code Chapter 11)

• 2. Foods for Special Nutritional Purposes (formerly 'Foods for Special Dietary Uses')

  • Purpose: To meet the special nutritional requirements of people in specific physiological conditions.
  • Target Audience: General public requiring specific nutritional management, such as infants, pregnant/lactating women, or individuals managing obesity.
  • Examples: Infant formulas, foods for pregnant/lactating women, meal replacements for weight control. (Food Code Chapter 10)
  • Characteristics: Not for disease treatment, but for nutritional supplementation and management based on specific life stages or health conditions.

• 3. Health Functional Foods

  • Purpose: To maintain and promote health, or to provide specific functional benefits. Not intended for the prevention or treatment of diseases.
  • Target Audience: General public aiming to improve their health.
  • Examples: Vitamins, minerals, Omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics.
  • Characteristics: Foods manufactured using ingredients or components whose functionality and safety are recognized by the MFDS.

• 4. Elderly-Friendly Foods

  • Purpose: Developed considering the physical characteristics of the elderly (difficulty chewing/swallowing, reduced digestive ability) to aid nutrient intake and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.
  • Target Audience: Elderly individuals who have difficulty chewing or swallowing, or have weakened digestive systems.
  • Characteristics: Enhanced for easier swallowing and digestion, fortified with nutrients often lacking in the elderly like calcium, vitamin D, and high protein. (Designated under the Act on Promotion of Elderly-Friendly Industry)

Conclusion: A Smart Choice for a Healthy Life

Patient-specific foods are becoming an indispensable element in disease management, going beyond simply compensating for nutritional deficiencies. In a rapidly changing society and healthcare environment, dietary management tailored to each patient's specific needs is becoming a crucial way to improve quality of life.

We hope this post has helped you understand patient-specific foods and contributes to your healthy eating habits. If you have any questions, it's always important to consult with a professional to get accurate information.