CookDeli Launches 'Porridge Plus Meat Miso' – Industry's First Certified Optimized Nutrition Food for Elderly Care Facilities, Available from June 22

CookDeli Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Nishi-ku, Osaka; President & CEO: Takeshi Washitani), a provider of fully cooked, safe, delicious frozen meal plans for elderly care facilities, announces the launch of 'Porridge Plus Meat Miso,' a new product certified as 'Optimized Nutrition Food※' by the Japan Association of Optimized Nutrition Food. This is the first such product designed specifically for elderly care facilities, available starting June 22, 2026.

As a fully cooked frozen food, it can be heated by simply placing the sealed pouch into boiling water and served alongside porridge. This allows even facilities facing severe staff shortages to easily provide 33 types of nutrients in an ideal balance.

※'Optimized Nutrition Food' refers to meals in which key nutrients are appropriately balanced according to individual factors such as age, gender, and lifestyle.

Addressing Malnutrition and Frailty in the Elderly

Currently, elderly care facilities face significant challenges with 'malnutrition' due to reduced food intake and the progression of 'frailty' (physical decline). While porridge is commonly consumed as a staple food in these facilities, its composition is mostly water, making it nutritionally inadequate. For elderly individuals with reduced appetites, increasing meal volume to compensate for nutritional deficiencies poses a physical burden. Additionally, caregiving facilities suffering from chronic labor shortages find it difficult to provide customized cooking based on individual nutritional needs. There has been a strong demand from the field for 'meals that make it easier and more reliable to consume essential nutrients.' In response, CookDeli has developed 'Porridge Plus Meat Miso,' the industry's first optimized nutrition food, aiming to 'complete ideal nutritional supplementation with just one bowl of porridge.'

Product Features

◆ First in the Industry to Receive 'Optimized Nutrition Food' Cooking Set Certification

CookDeli is the first company to receive the 'Cooking Set Certification' from the Japan Association of Optimized Nutrition Food—a certification also recognized by Nissin Foods' 'Kanzen Meshi'—for a product targeting elderly care facilities. When combined with porridge, this product is designed to deliver 33 types of nutrients in an ideal balance. This enables even those with reduced appetites due to aging or functional decline to efficiently obtain necessary nutrients in small portions.

◆ Achieves Both 'Nutritional Management' and 'Operational Efficiency' Without Specialized Knowledge

Even without specialized nutritional expertise, caregivers can easily prepare a nutritionally balanced meal using just this single product. By eliminating the need for complex menu planning and nutritional supplementation, it supports efficient health management for the elderly, providing crucial support to busy facilities facing severe staffing shortages.

◆ The Importance of 'Obtaining Nutrition Through Meals'

We believe that maintaining health fundamentally depends on enjoying meals and eating with one's own mouth. Rather than relying solely on supplements or nutritional aids to compensate for nutrient deficiencies, we emphasize obtaining nutrients through daily 'meals.'

This product is crafted as a flavorful 'meat miso' that stimulates appetite, enhancing the taste of porridge and encouraging consumption.

Balancing 'Nutrition and Deliciousness'

In elderly care facilities, many residents consume porridge as a staple because it is easy to eat for those with weakened chewing and swallowing functions. However, porridge's high water content limits its nutritional value, posing a risk of malnutrition and frailty. As many elderly individuals say, 'I may not finish side dishes, but I can eat porridge,' it became essential to increase the nutritional density of this staple food itself.

However, meeting the 33 nutritional standards set by the Japan Association of Optimized Nutrition Food often results in undesirable bitterness or astringency from certain nutrients, making it extremely difficult to balance taste and nutrition. After more than 30 trial formulations, we found the solution in 'miso,' a traditional Japanese ingredient. Instead of masking flavors with strong seasonings, we leveraged miso's natural ability to envelop and mellow out the off-flavors of nutrients, transforming them into a rich, savory umami that enhances porridge. Rather than being consumed out of obligation like a supplement, we aim to preserve the joy of eating—where the first bite brings genuine delight and satisfaction.

【Product Overview】

Product Name: Porridge Plus Meat Miso (Fully Cooked Frozen Food)

Specifications: 265g per pouch (5 servings / approximately 53g per serving)

Preparation Method: Place the frozen 'Porridge Plus Meat Miso' pouch directly into boiling water and heat for 10 minutes to thaw and warm.

Sales Channels: Nationwide elderly care facilities (available for purchase via CookDeli's member website)

Main Ingredients: Spinach, soy protein, ground pork, miso, medium-chain triglyceride oil, among others

Main Nutritional Components (per serving: 53g of Porridge Plus Meat Miso + 200g of plain porridge): Energy 303kcal, Protein 15.0g, Dietary Fiber 4.7g, Calcium 165mg, Vitamin D 2.7μg

※Based on the registered nutritional design standard T-002 (for ages 50 and above) under the Cooking Set Certification Scheme of the Japan Association of Optimized Nutrition Food, all 33 nutrients meet or exceed the minimum requirements. For nutrients with upper limits, none exceed the maximum thresholds.

※Nutritional values are calculated based on 53g of Porridge Plus Meat Miso combined with 200g of plain porridge.

【About CookDeli】

CookDeli is a manufacturer of fully cooked frozen foods for elderly care facilities. We deliver 220,000 meals daily to approximately 7,000 facilities nationwide. As Japan faces a super-aging society with increasing elderly care facilities and a critical labor shortage, we support these facilities by providing fully cooked frozen meals, enabling them to serve meals with fewer staff. We are committed to providing safe, nutritious, and delicious meals that bring joy and smiles to residents and caregivers alike, shaping the future of elderly nutrition.

【Company Overview: CookDeli Co., Ltd.】

Corporate Name: CookDeli Co., Ltd.

Representative: President & CEO Takeshi Washitani

Headquarters: Shinonobuilding 2F, 1-6-17 Kitahorie, Nishi-ku, Osaka City

Phone: 06-6536-2302

Established: 2016

Business Activities:

Research and development of food products for frailty prevention

Planning, manufacturing, and sales of food products for the elderly

Website: https://www.cookdeli.com/