Nutri-senex is a European Commission funded co-ordination action.

The focus of the project is on the taste and smell losses that occur with ageing, and how these changes decrease the enjoyment of food, which may subsequently reduce food consumption and the nutritional status of the elderly. Many clinical and laboratory studies have been carried out to examine the cause of these taste and smell disfunctions, yet the elderly population is largely ignored commercially, as food companies mainly target younger consumers.

There are very few products that are designed for the older consumer or care home operators. The primary aim of the project is to contribute towards the improvement of the quality of life of the elderly. The benefits of the project are most likely to be felt by the frail elderly, but the activities within the project are not confined to this sub-group. It is aimed at improving the understanding of how diet can promote healthy ageing.

TTZ is work package leader in work package 7: the dissemination and technology transfer work package. It is a three year project.