A food preparation unit receives unit input in the form of an image selected by a user of a vending machine or client device application. The food preparation unit translates the image into a format that is recognizable by further components of the unit. The food preparation unit represents the image as a set of instructions for the components of the unit. The instructions comprise a selection of sauces to dispense, a dispensing method, and a dispensing nozzle. The food preparation unit identifies a starting location of the dispensing nozzle and dispenses the selected sauce from the dispensing nozzle in the form of the chosen image.

A food preparation unit receives unit input in the form of an image selected by a user of a vending machine or client device application. The food preparation unit translates the image into a format that is recognizable by further components of the unit. The food preparation unit represents the image as a set of instructions for the components of the unit. The instructions comprise a selection of sauces to dispense, a dispensing method, and a dispensing nozzle. The food preparation unit identifies a starting location of the dispensing nozzle and dispenses the selected sauce from the dispensing nozzle in the form of the chosen image.

The present invention provides food products, nutritional programs, and methods for meeting nutritional needs of subjects with dementia and related cognitive disorders. In one embodiment, the invention provides a food product comprising a reversibly sealed container and a soup, wherein the soup is in the container and comprises a total volume of 200-2000 mls, a vegetable or meat component, 300 to 2500 calories, a macronutrient caloric distribution comprising: 20-80% fat, 10-45% protein, and 10-65% carbohydrate, about 2% to about 40% medium chain triglycerides, omega 3 fatty acids in an amount of 100 to 2000 mg and less than 20 solid food particles having a volume greater than about 20 cm.sup.3. Such food products, when administered to affected subjects, can positively impact (i) nutritional status; (ii) quality of life; (iii) disease course; (v) the demand for assistance from a care giver; (vi) subject compliance with a nutritional plan using the food product, and (vii) ease of monitoring compliance by the caregiver for verification.

The present invention provides food products, nutritional programs, and methods for meeting nutritional needs of subjects with dementia and related cognitive disorders. In one embodiment, the invention provides a food product comprising a reversibly sealed container and a soup, wherein the soup is in the container and comprises a total volume of 200-2000 mls, a vegetable or meat component, 300 to 2500 calories, a macronutrient caloric distribution comprising: 20-80% fat, 10-45% protein, and 10-65% carbohydrate, about 2% to about 40% medium chain triglycerides, omega 3 fatty acids in an amount of 100 to 2000 mg and less than 20 solid food particles having a volume greater than about 20 cm.sup.3. Such food products, when administered to affected subjects, can positively impact (i) nutritional status; (ii) quality of life; (iii) disease course; (v) the demand for assistance from a care giver; (vi) subject compliance with a nutritional plan using the food product, and (vii) ease of monitoring compliance by the caregiver for verification.

Naturally-derived compounds having various structures elicit the perception of salty taste or enhance the perception of salty taste of a salt. Food products may include such salty compounds, which may be used to reduce the sodium content, while parting a similar level of saltiness.

Naturally-derived compounds having various structures elicit the perception of salty taste or enhance the perception of salty taste of a salt. Food products may include such salty compounds, which may be used to reduce the sodium content, while parting a similar level of saltiness.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a novel oil-and-fat composition usable as an oil-and-fat sensation imparting material that can impart an oil-and-fat sensation to food and drink at a more natural and moderate intensity or can enhance or improve the oil-and-fat feeling in food and drink, and that can further enhance the flavor or texture that can be sensed in the oral cavity, such as a richness of taste, depth of taste, voluminous feeling, and feeling on the tongue; and a novel manufacturing method therefor. The present invention pertains to an oil-and-fat composition that has a moisture content of less than 1.0 mass % and that includes: component A that is three types of free fatty acids comprising free palmitic acid, free oleic acid, and free stearic acid; and component B that is two types of unsaturated aldehydes comprising 2-decenal and 2-octenal, wherein 0.002-0.2 parts by mass of component B is contained with respect to 100 parts by mass of component A, and at least 8.5 mass % of component A is contained with respect to the total mass of the composition.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a novel oil-and-fat composition usable as an oil-and-fat sensation imparting material that can impart an oil-and-fat sensation to food and drink at a more natural and moderate intensity or can enhance or improve the oil-and-fat feeling in food and drink, and that can further enhance the flavor or texture that can be sensed in the oral cavity, such as a richness of taste, depth of taste, voluminous feeling, and feeling on the tongue; and a novel manufacturing method therefor. The present invention pertains to an oil-and-fat composition that has a moisture content of less than 1.0 mass % and that includes: component A that is three types of free fatty acids comprising free palmitic acid, free oleic acid, and free stearic acid; and component B that is two types of unsaturated aldehydes comprising 2-decenal and 2-octenal, wherein 0.002-0.2 parts by mass of component B is contained with respect to 100 parts by mass of component A, and at least 8.5 mass % of component A is contained with respect to the total mass of the composition.

A method for manufacturing a swelling-inhibited starch, the production method including a step for performing a heating treatment at 55-205° C. on a starch for which the value of M.sub.1−M.sub.0 is within the range from −10 to 20 and setting a breakdown value of a starch paste solution to no greater than 75% of the value before the heating treatment. The heating treatment is performed using closed heating equipment without implementing a moist-heat treatment. M.sub.1: Moisture content (%) of starch before heating treatment M.sub.0: Equilibrium moisture content (%) of starch at normal temperature and normal humidity

A method for manufacturing a swelling-inhibited starch, the production method including a step for performing a heating treatment at 55-205° C. on a starch for which the value of M.sub.1−M.sub.0 is within the range from −10 to 20 and setting a breakdown value of a starch paste solution to no greater than 75% of the value before the heating treatment. The heating treatment is performed using closed heating equipment without implementing a moist-heat treatment. M.sub.1: Moisture content (%) of starch before heating treatment M.sub.0: Equilibrium moisture content (%) of starch at normal temperature and normal humidity