One for the ages as chain cooks up soft meals first

Henry Siu

Fairwood will be the first fast-food restaurant chain to offer soft meals starting October 1.

The chain said it will transform four of its signature dishes to cater to those experiencing difficulties with swallowing.

The fast-food chain said the selected dishes include "Ah Wood Curry Chicken with Rice," "Pork Chop in Tomato Sauce with Rice," "Ah Wood Sweet Corn and Diced Pork with Rice" and "Sweet and Sour Pork with Rice."

These soft meals will comply with the Guideline of Care Food and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative Level 4 Standard.

Fairwood said the meals will be available for takeout at nine locations across the city, with each offering 80 servings.

Customers can also order the soft meals via the chain's WhatsApp for delivery, according to chief executive Francis Lo Fai-shing.

He said the soft meals are designed and produced at Fairwood's central kitchen in Hong Kong, ensuring compliance with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point food safety standards.

Lo said that the meals are regularly reviewed by professional third-party organizations.

"We are introducing soft meals to raise public awareness about citizens with swallowing difficulties," Lo said.

"This initiative aims to alleviate the burden on caregivers who often struggle with meal preparation," he said.

"We also hope to bring back Fairwood's signature flavors and the cherished memories of dining with us for those facing swallowing challenges."

The price for the soft meals will be set at HK$58 per portion, and customers can receive a HK$10 discount coupon when purchasing other standard meal options.

When asked why the soft meals are priced higher than regular meals, Lo said that the food cost for these meals is two to three times more expensive.

Chua Hoi-wai, chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, praised the introduction of soft-meal options at Fairwood.

He referenced a survey from Chinese University, which said 37.8 percent of the elderly in Hong Kong suffer from swallowing difficulties.

A survey by the service indicated that a quarter of the elderly aged 76 to 85 in residential care homes require "care foods."

"Providing more market choices for those with swallowing difficulties can save them time preparing food at home," he said.

Karen Chan Man-kei, associate professor at the University of Hong Kong Swallowing Research Laboratory, echoed this sentiment.

"Those with swallowing difficulties might spend two to three hours, or even up to seven hours, preparing their meals," she said.

Law Shun-leung, 84, who has difficulties swallowing food, expressed his delight upon learning he could enjoy Fairwood's curry chicken again after a long time.

His wife, who was no less thrilled, said: "I can't be home all the time to prepare soft food.

"The availability of soft meals makes it more convenient and gives me more time for other things."