Nutricia supports the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative for individuals with dysphagia

Nutricia is glad to support the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) this year by becoming a gold sponsor to help the initiative to be rolled-out at a global scale.

What is the IDDSI initiative?

Liquid and food texture modification is used throughout the world for dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) management. However, the description, levels of modification and other characteristics vary within and between countries¹.

IDDSI is an initiative started by a team of multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals in the dysphagia field and provides an international standardized classification system to describe liquid- and texture-modified foods for those with dysphagia. IDDSI has designed a framework that provides a common terminology to describe food texture and drink thickness.

What does the IDDSI classification mean for individuals with dysphagia?

Consumption of food or drinks with an incorrect consistency increases the risk of choking and aspiration in a person with dysphagia. Using the same terminology to describe food texture and drink thickness across dysphagia-related products can better support individuals with dysphagia to consume the correctly prescribed consistency of food and drinks. As a result, reducing the risk for confusion with the use of inconsistent terminology, and thereby improving the person’s safety.

What does the IDDSI classification mean for Nutricia?

Nutricia has a standard product range and a tailored range designed for people with dysphagia, including those with or at risk of malnutrition. This tailored product range consists of thickening powders, pre-thickened water, and pre-thickened oral nutritional supplements. In countries where the IDDSI classification is implemented, Nutricia supports health care professionals, dysphagia sufferers and their carers by labelling this specific range according to the IDDSI classification.