FSMP & Clinical Nutrition: Insights from the14th Asian Congress of Nutrition

What Is FSMP?
Definition: FSMP (Food for Special Medical Purpose) refers to specially formulated foods designed to meet the nutritional needs of individuals with restricted intake, impaired digestion/absorption, metabolic disorders, or specific disease states.
Comparison with Other Products:
| Category | Target Group | Primary Purpose | Example Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSMP | Patients with diseases | Nutritional support (macro/micronutrients) | PKU formula, diabetic formula |
| Health Foods | General population | Regulate body functions | Functional teas, supplements |
| Dietary Supplements | General population | Nutrient supplementation | Vitamin/mineral tablets |
FSMP Classification
| Category | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Nutrition Formula | Sole source of nutrition for target group | Standard enteral nutrition |
| Disease‑Specific Complete Nutrition Formula | Tailored for specific conditions, meeting nutrition needs while addressing medical issues | Diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease formulas |
| Incomplete Nutrition Formula | Nutrient modules or components | Protein powders, amino acid blends, electrolyte solutions |
| Infant (<1 year) Special Formulas | Designed for preterm, low birth weight, or metabolic disorders | Lactose‑free, hydrolyzed protein, amino acid formulas |
FSMP in Clinical Nutrition
Clinical Positioning: FSMP is part of enteral nutrition, suitable for patients with malnutrition or insufficient intake.
Indications include:
-
BMI <18.5 with poor condition
-
Unintentional weight loss >10% in 3–6 months
-
Intake <60% of recommended levels for ≥5 days
-
Malabsorption, swallowing disorders, metabolic dysfunction
Contraindications: Severe short bowel syndrome, high‑output fistula, complete obstruction, severe vomiting/diarrhea, GI bleeding, or severe infection.
Why Develop FSMP?
| Clinical Significance | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Correct metabolic imbalance | Stabilizes patient condition |
| Reduce complications | Lowers infection risk |
| Promote recovery | Supports healing |
| Enhance treatment outcomes | Improves therapy effectiveness |
| Reduce healthcare costs | Estimated 20% savings (~1 trillion RMB annually) |
| Improve quality of life | Better patient well‑being |
FSMP in Rare Diseases
FSMP plays a critical role in managing inherited metabolic disorders, where dietary restriction is essential.
| Rare Disease Example | FSMP Role |
|---|---|
| Phenylketonuria (PKU) | Amino acid formulas without phenylalanine |
| Maple Syrup Urine Disease | Restricted branched‑chain amino acid formulas |
| Galactosemia | Galactose‑free formulas |
| Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders | Specialized lipid formulas |
Demand and Challenges
Current Demand:
-
Survey of 592 hospitals: highest FSMP demand for oncology, kidney disease, and diabetes.
-
Aging population: by 2030, 360 million people over 60 (25% of population).
Challenges:
-
Strict regulation, long registration cycles
-
Limited product diversity (125 approved in China vs. 705 globally)
-
Lack of clinical nutritionists
-
Low public awareness and education
-
Inconsistent reimbursement policies
Recommendations for FSMP Development
| Area | Suggested Actions |
|---|---|
| Regulation | Improve standards, streamline registration |
| Market Supervision | Strengthen oversight, inter‑departmental coordination |
| Hospital Integration | Expand nutrition departments, train clinicians/dietitians |
| Public Education | Increase awareness of FSMP benefits |
| R&D | Invest in diverse formulas for different life stages and diseases |
Looking Ahead
The Xinhua Hospital nutrition team, led by Professor Cai Wei, emphasized that due to the limited number of approved products, clinicians often rely on customized blends of multiple formulas to meet patient needs. Excitingly, they announced that in November, the hospital will release clinical nutrition formulas tailored for rare diseases, providing new evidence‑based tools for patient care.
The discussions at ACN 2023 reaffirmed that FSMP is not only a clinical necessity but also a strategic pathway to sustainable healthcare, reducing costs while improving outcomes for millions of patients.
Reference:
-
Service Center for Societies of CAST. 14th Asian Congress of Nutrition & 16th National Nutrition Science Conference Opens in Chengdu
👉 Learn more about our FSMP solutions here: [SINOFN Health FSMP Page ]Read more

Supplement Material
Jujube cAMP
Finished Product
Fermented Drinks
FSMP
Sports Nutrition Supplements
PKU Health Care Activities
CKD Health Care Activities








