IDDSI Level 5
Minced & Moist
Soft, moist pieces no bigger than 4 mm.
What it is
Soft, moist food in very small lumps (≤ 4 mm for adults) that are easy to squash with the tongue. Minimal chewing required.
What it looks like
Finely minced or mashed food held together with a thick, smooth sauce. No thin liquid separating.
The official test
video: Level 5 testing method
Fork pressure test: pieces squash easily with light fork pressure (thumbnail blanches white). Fork prongs: pieces fit between the slots of a standard fork (4 mm).
Run the guided fork & spoon testsFoods that typically fit
- Finely minced tender meat in thick gravy
- Mashed flaky fish, bones removed
- Mashed soft fruit (drained)
- Thick porridge with small soft lumps
Products can vary by batch. Always verify with the IDDSI tests before serving.How to test →
Common mistakes
- Mince that is dry or rubbery — “minced” without “moist” is not Level 5.
- Pieces larger than 4 mm — measure against the fork prongs.
- Thin gravy pooling on the plate — sauce must be thick and cohesive.