The Pure Food Co Addresses
New Research on Elderly Malnutrition
May 26, 2017 - A new study released today by Massey University has highlighted the issue of malnutrition in the elderly. The study
found 23 per cent of older people living independently in the community, or newly-admitted to hospital or residential
care, were malnourished with a further 35 per cent deemed at high risk. This demonstrates the challenge that care
providers face in dealing with malnutrition in older people.
“Malnutrition amongst our ageing population is a big problem in aged-care facilities and outpatient, in-home care, says
Sam Bridgewater, one of Pure Food’s founders.
The Pure Food Co. is working with healthcare and aged care providers to address this issue with it’s range of protein
fortified soft foods.
“Our meals, which are a combination of the best of pure foods and clinical nutrition, are more delicious than
supplements and more nutritious than regular food,” adds Bridgewater.
In a recent study carried out by the New Zealand company, a number of aged-care patients were introduced to The Pure
Food Co. meals. Before the change in diet, around 38 per cent were able to maintain weight. After the introduction of
the nutritionally fortified, texture-modified diet, 77 per cent regained weight within weeks, and were able to maintain
it for longer than four months.
The Pure Food Co. has now partnered with a leading dietitian, Kaye Dennison, to address malnutrition. Kaye is a well
known and respected dietitian with thirty years experience in professional dietetics - she has previously collaborated
with the Pure Food Co. on independent case studies of residents in aged care groups.
Says Kaye Dennison - “I am pleased to be associated with The Pure Food Co. working on consumer focused solutions for
malnutrition and eating difficulties. The company is taking a genuine approach to delivering high quality, evidence
based, food solutions and I see this as a great way of addressing nutrition related problems across community,
healthcare and aged residential care settings.”
From April 2017, Kaye is the independent clinical dietitian adviser for the Pure Food Co. providing professional input
on their product development, research plans and clinical advocacy.
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About The Pure Food Co.
The Pure Food Co. was founded in 2014 by Sam Bridgewater and Maia Royale to provide delicious, nutritious foods that
enable people to eat well and thrive. The company has big plans to become a global leader in healthcare nutrition,
providing the best combination of pure foods and clinical nutrition.
The past few years have seen rapid growth, from a small startup to now having specialist soft texture, fortified meals
supplied into major aged care groups, half of New Zealand hospitals and large food service companies. It has the support
of senior dietitians and healthcare associations, and has won several industry awards: 2015 New Zealand Food Awards
winner, Health and Wellness Category; 2015 New Zealand Innovation Awards finalist; 2016 ‘Rising Star’ by the Deloitte
Fast Fifty.
About Kaye Dennison (NZ Registered Dietitian)
Kaye Dennison is a registered dietitian and registered nutritionist with over 30 years’ experience of working in
dietetics both in New Zealand and internationally. Kaye has worked as a clinical dietitian for over 20 years and through
her experience as a Community Dietitian she has developed a special interest in the identification and early treatment
of people with malnutrition.
Her interest in gerontology nutrition led Kaye to conduct research on intensive nutrition support for community dwelling
older people and to supervise a wide range of student research projects around nutrition issues related to seniors. She
has considerable experience in working as an advocate for older people’s nutrition issues, at a national level in her
role as founder and previous Chair of the NZ Nutrition Foundations, Committee for Healthy Ageing.
Kaye has presented at a large number of national forums to a wide range of professional and consumer groups, on the risk
of malnutrition in New Zealand’s older population. Her leadership skills have been recognised at a national level in
receiving the Award of Excellence from the NZ Dietetic Association in 2012 and in 2014 winning the inaugural Janice
Mueller award for Leadership in Allied Health in New Zealand.
In 2014 Kaye established her own business, Optimize Health Solutions Ltd and works in a number of portfolio areas
including teaching and research in gerontology nutrition, health care project management and coaching and mentoring for
health professionals. Kaye is a member of Dietitians NZ and the DNZ Special Interest Group for Nutrition and
Gerontology, The NZ Nutrition Society and the NZ Gerontology Association.
STUDY: Strategies needed to address malnutrition in older people
Massey University - 26/07/2017