Frozen food producer apetito scores NACC Innovation Award

The range, which was only launched in January this year but has already seen sales top £1 million, was praised for its visual appeal – the meals have been designed to look like non-puréed food – as well as its taste and nutritional balance. Apetito UK chief executive Paul Freeston said that his team was honoured to receive recognition for what is "widely believed to be a world-first" in creating meals that allow patients with swallowing difficulties – known as dysphagia - to dine with dignity and enjoyment. Collecting the award, Freeston said: "With more than a million people, including stroke victims, cancer patients and those with dementia, suffering from dysphagia, catering has inherently been a challenge. "The team has spent more than 18 months developing over 50 meals that have become an overnight success. And, what has truly inspired us is the heartfelt response from patients who are now enjoying their meal-times - something which sounds simple yet has had a major impact in their lives". The accolade coincides with more success for the company, which also picked up two awards in partnership with East Sussex County Council for Health & Wellbeing and Marketing of National Community Meals on Wheels Week.