487 NOTTINGHAM (N-ICE) CREAM-A MORE NUTRITIOUS, PALATABLE AND PREFERRED HIGH PROTEIN, VITAMIN D FORTIFIED VANILLA ICE CREAM-A STEP TOO FAR?

Abstract Introduction Oral Nutritional Supplement (ONS) drinks are commonly used to support nutritional intake in older people, however these are poorly consumed and frequently wasted. Fortified ice-cream offers a more acceptable ONS. Methods In collaboration with the University of Nottingham, Department of Food Sciences, we developed a high protein, vanilla ice cream (20 g/120 mL serving), fortified with vitamin D (400 IU)-Nottingham Ice (N-ICE) Cream. An anonymised Google consumer survey was untaken amongst older patients from the Nottingham Osteoporosis Patient Support group. We evaluated (on a rating scale of 1–10): Taste (1 unpleasant to 10 tasty), Mouthfeel (1 grainy to 10 smooth), Smell (1 unpleasant to 10 enticing), Appearance (1 off-putting to 10 inviting) and Colour (1 dull to 10 appealing) of the N-ICE Cream. Further comparison was made with an over-the-counter ONS drink Amyes Complete™ (similar in energy and protein content to N-ICE Cream). Results 32 participants completed the consumer survey. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 79.1 (4.5) yrs. The mean (SD) score out of 10 for Taste was 8.95 (1.02), Mouthfeel 9.14 (0.98), Smell 8.86 (1.06), Appearance 8.95 (1.12) and Colour 9.10 (1.14). Overall acceptability was 8.92 (1.18). 64% of the participants were able to consume all of the 120 mL tub, 22% ¾, 10% ½ and the remaining only ¼ (4%). 30/32 participants preferred the Taste, 29/32 Mouthfeel and 28/32 the Smell of N-ICE Cream, when compared to the ONS drink, and overall if given a choice, 30/32 (94%) of the participants preferred N-ICE Cream over the Amyes Complete™ ONS drink. The retail cost of Amyes Complete was £2.50 and 28/32 of the participants said they would be willing to pay the same amount for N-ICE Cream. Conclusion N-ICE Cream is highly acceptable, nutritious and preferred by the consumer group evaluated when compared to an ONS Amyes Complete™ drink.