TABLE 1.

category classifications of the Ajinomoto Group Nutrient Profiling System (ANPS).

Major dish group	Subcategory number	Characteristics	Dish examples
Staple dish	1	Staple foods with simple seasonings only OR energy <400 kcal AND protein <6 g AND vegetables <50 g	Plain rice, plain bread
	2	Energy <400 kcal AND with other ingredients	Steamed rice (mixed) with red beans, hamburger
	3	Energy <400 kcal AND soup AND with other ingredients	Udon noodles with soup, soba noodles with soup
	4	Energy ≥400 kcal AND with other ingredients	Curry rice, chicken-and-egg bowl
	5	Energy ≥400 kcal AND soup AND with other ingredients	Ramen noodles
Main dish	6	Total ingredients ≥120 g AND protein ≥6 g	Grilled fish, beef steak, grilled chicken
	7	Total ingredients ≥120 g AND protein ≥6 g AND vegetables ≥50 g	Vegetable stir fry
	8	Total ingredients ≥120 g AND soup AND protein ≥6 g AND vegetables ≥50 g	Japanese hot pot
Soup	9	Soup AND protein <6 g AND vegetables <50 g	Tofu miso soup
	10	Soup AND protein <6 g AND vegetables ≥50 g	Minestrone soup
	11	Soup AND protein ≥6 g	Pork and vegetable miso soup
Side dish	12	Dishes that do not fall under category 1–11 AND (protein ≥6 g OR vegetables ≥50 g OR energy ≥100 kcal)	Boiled spinach seasoned with soy sauce
	13	Dishes that do not fall under category 1–12	Pickles

In the ANPS system, dish category of one serving dish can be categorized by using this chart. Defining the dish category is mandatory to the evaluation of ANPS since each nutrient target values are different according to dish categories (Table 3).