Japanese food makers are rolling out easy-to-prepare food products for children age?1 to 6, though the population in the age bracket is continuing?to fall.

With their frozen side dishes for lunch boxes and food sales services including at nursery schools, companies are trying to meet growing demand for quick meal solutions that reflects an increase in double-income households. Products that prioritize aesthetics and nutritional balance are particularly popular.

In March, Ajinomoto sold online its ¡°Pitamo¡± set of frozen side dishes for children on a trial basis, aiming for commercialization. At a price of about ?680 per set, including shipping, all 1,200 sets that had been prepared sold out on the launch day.

Pitamo developers at Ajinomoto showed confidence about the product, in which side dishes are packaged inside a container that fits into a standard-size lunch box, saving parents the trouble of arranging the food.

As children tend to care about how their lunches look compared to their friends¡¯, Ajinomoto emphasizes both the visual appeal and nutritional balance of the side dishes.

Working parents are ready to ¡°spend more to save time so they can have more time with their children,¡± an Ajinomoto developer said.

House Foods Group plans to commercialize its ¡°tasmee¡± service offering unstaffed?sales of retort pouch foods, such as hamburger steak, at nursery schools.

Parents can buy meals, priced around ?540 for a set for an adult and a child, when visiting the facilities to pick up their children.

Trials began in 2023, and the service is available at about 130 facilities. To ease the burden on the facilities, House Foods offers a QR?code payment system as an option.

¡°If you go to a supermarket with your child, it takes two or three times longer to shop,¡± a user of the tasmee service said, praising its convenience. ¡°The heating time is short, so the food can be served soon after we get home.¡±

In September last year, Ezaki Glico launched its ¡°cotote¡± frozen food brand for children age?1 to 3. The brand offers 14 menu options, with the hardness and size of ingredients adjusted in line with growth stages.

Cotote food sets, priced at about ?840 per meal, are delivered to customers¡¯ homes.

¡°With frozen food, the texture and taste of the ingredients are better preserved than with retort pouch food, making it easier for children to learn about various flavors,¡± an official said.