SINGAPORE – Seniors who struggle to chew or swallow often lose their appetite and enjoyment of food, putting them at risk of poor nutrition.
A new food texturant – an ingredient that alters the texture and sensation of foods – could change that.
Produced in a halal-certified facility, MAKANsoft is Singapore’s first halal-compliant food texturant designed to help seniors enjoy their meals.
Developed under a research programme at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), MAKANsoft enables pureed food to be reshaped to resemble its original form, while remaining safe to eat.
The programme is known as DIGNIFIED, which stands for Delicious, Integrative, Good Nutrition and Fulfilment in Elderly Diet.
Supported by A*STAR, the DIGNIFIED programme brings together food technologists and engineers, a dietitian, a speech therapist, sensory scientists and chefs. It seeks to tackle a growing challenge in Singapore’s ageing society: helping seniors with chewing and swallowing difficulties continue to enjoy their meals.
Led by Dr Verena Tan, an associate professor at SIT who leads its dietetics and nutrition bachelor’s programme, the DIGNIFIED programme conducted a survey from November 2024 to about mid-2025.
The study involved over 200 seniors across the three main ethnic groups – Chinese, Malays and Indians, examining their dietary habits, food preferences and views on healthy ageing.
