IDDSI vs Japan's 学会分類2021: Which Standard Should Care Facilities Use?
## IDDSI vs Japan's 学会分類2021: Which Standard Should Care Facilities Use?
When it comes to dysphagia-safe food and drink, two main frameworks guide clinical practice: Japan's **学会分類2021** (Gakkai Bunrui 2021, developed by the Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation) and the internationally adopted **IDDSI** (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative).
### What is 学会分類2021?
The 学会分類2021 is Japan's national standard for texture-modified foods and thickened liquids, developed for the Japanese clinical environment. It uses alphanumeric codes (0j, 0t, 1, 2-1, 2-2, 3, 4) to classify foods and liquids based on texture and viscosity. The framework is widely used in Japanese hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and care homes.
### What is IDDSI?
IDDSI is a global 8-level framework (Levels 0–7) that standardises texture-modified food and thickened drink terminology across countries. Each level is defined by objective physical tests: the fork drip test, spoon tilt test, and syringe flow test. IDDSI is adopted in the UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, and increasingly in international facilities worldwide.
### Key Differences
| Aspect | 学会分類2021 | IDDSI | |---|---|---| | Origin | Japan (JSDR) | International (IDDSI Foundation) | | Levels | 7 codes (0j–4) | 8 levels (0–7) | | Liquid classification | 3 stages | 5 levels (0–4) | | Food classification | 5 codes | 5 levels (3–7) | | Testing method | Descriptive + line spread test | Objective physical tests | | International adoption | Japan-focused | Global |
### Approximate Level Mapping
- 学会分類 Code 0t (thin) ≈ IDDSI Level 1–2 - 学会分類 Code 1 (nectar-like) ≈ IDDSI Level 2–3 - 学会分類 Code 2 (honey-like) ≈ IDDSI Level 3–4 - 学会分類 Code 3 (minced/moist) ≈ IDDSI Level 5–6 - 学会分類 Code 4 (pureed) ≈ IDDSI Level 4–5
### Which Should Your Facility Use?
For Japanese domestic facilities following national clinical guidelines, 学会分類2021 is the standard reference. For international facilities, Greater Bay Area care homes, or facilities accepting Japanese residents under international healthcare protocols, IDDSI provides a globally recognised, objectively testable framework.
### SeniorDeli's Approach
SeniorDeli products are designed and tested to IDDSI standards, covering Levels 1–6. This makes them suitable for international care facilities and GBA facilities serving Japanese residents, as well as Japanese facilities that have adopted or cross-reference IDDSI. Japanese-language product documentation and IDDSI level correspondence guides are available on request.
Contact us at distribute@seniordeli.com to discuss how SeniorDeli can support your facility's dysphagia care programme.