On May 23-24, 2022, at Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, Dr. Aree Thanaboonsombut, Deputy Executive Director of MTEC, had handed over the prototypes of Flow Tester and Fork Tester to 10 hospitals. These instruments had been developed for classifying beverage and food products for people with dysphagia under the project of “Developing innovative food for people with chewing and swallowing problems”. MTEC also gave a training for the use of Flow Tester and Fork Tester to all the representatives. The training was conducted by Dr. Chaiwut Gamonpilas, Principle Researcher, and the Food Materials Research Team of Advanced Polymer Technology Research Group.
Flow Tester and Fork Tester are testing instruments for beverage viscosity and food texture, respectively, for people with dysphagia. Their operations conforms to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI). Food Materials Research Team developed these two instruments to increase the accuracy of measurement and, at the same time, provide convenience for the medical personnel in classifying beverage and food products to suit people with chewing and swallowing problems. The instruments is lightweight and easy to move. At this stage, the prototypes will be field-tested and their performance will be assessed by all the participating users. This innovative devices received research funding from the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) of 2022 under the program group of Sustainable Food and Ingredients. The program group focuses on building knowledge and applying technology to develop food and ingredients with the ultimate aim of sustainability in all dimensions, from efficient production process based on green production principle to reduction of wastes, as well as reuse of renewable resources as raw materials. The developed nutritious products are not only safe for consumers, but also create high value-added for the food industry and other related industries.
Here is the list of hospitals and institutes that have been using Flow tester and Fork tester:
1. Thai Red Cross Rehabilitation Center
2. Yan Sang Wararam Hospital, Chonburi Province
3. King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital
4. Ramathibodi Hospital
5. Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital
6. Phramongkutklao Hospital
7. Srinagarind Hospital
8. Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute (SNMRI)
9. Vimut Hospital
10. Srithanya Hospital