MEDIA RELEASE: Monday 23 January, 2026
As chefs in aged care kitchens across the country grapple with new regulatory demands to cater for an array of resident needs and preferences, the latest innovation from The Pure Food Co is helping make mealtimes more inclusive for everyone.
The food technology company, renowned for its award-winning texture modified meals, has launched a range of delicious, nutritionally-rich desserts that can be devoured by residents on texture modified and standard diets alike.
Company co-founder and co-CEO Sam Bridgewater said the new creamy lemon cheesecake and chocolate mud slice are “all about breaking down the barriers” that often separate residents on texture modified diets from the people they dine with.
“Mealtimes are meant to be a shared, social experience where everyone feels included, but we know that in aged care that’s not always possible,” Bridgewater said.
“These desserts wouldn’t look or taste out of place in a French patisserie, but they’ve been subtly designed so they can be enjoyed by people with swallowing difficulties, too.”
That “all-important human factor” was the key driver behind the innovation.
“When everyone, regardless of dietary needs, can participate in mealtimes, it honours their identity and reinforces a sense of belonging.”
Bridgewater said with the new Aged Care Quality Standards now in force, The Pure Food Co’s sweet slices range will make life simpler for chefs in the sector.
“It means they’ll now have a simple, delicious go-to option that they know everyone can safely enjoy.”
Bridgewater said every person needs around 50 per cent more protein in their diet as they age – not only those on texture modified diets – and the company’s new sweet slices were designed to meet that crucial nutritional need.
The desserts, which are gluten free, contain 5g of protein and 114mg of calcium per 50g serving.
“We wanted to create a dessert that everyone could tuck into so chefs had a delicious, nutritionally-rich option they knew would see empty plates returned to the kitchen every single time.
“Older Aussies deserve the very best in life wherever they are on their ageing journey, and now everyone can quite literally have their cake and eat it too.”
The Pure Food Co’s Innovation Manager Akarin Opassathavorn said the company’s dietitians and food technologists spent months developing the new dessert range.
“To make a slice that looks and tastes exactly like a traditional cheesecake but is also compliant with IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) guidelines was a really complex challenge,” Opassathavorn said.
“It required a degree of subtlety and technical finesse to remain true to a much-loved dish but to make it accessible for everyone.”
Opassathavorn said the desserts invite chefs to add a touch of creative flair with an array of garnish and presentation options.
“The desserts were deliberately designed for busy aged care kitchens – you just slice, plate and serve – while also providing the perfect blank canvas to create something they can put their unique stamp on.”