Protein Quality Not Excellent and Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency in Evacuation Shelter Food Analysis in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake: Comparison with the 2024 Simultaneous National Survey in Japan

Background: On 1 January 2024, the Noto Peninsula was struck by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake. In the previous article, The food provided in the evacuee shelters proved insufficient in energy and protein for the older adults, 65% of whom visited our emergency clinic. Methods: (1) analyze the amino acid and fatty acid composition of 11 evacuation meals using the "Duplicated Combination" Model, (2) assess the adequacy of the amino acid and fatty acid composition, the digestible essential amino acid score (DIAAS) was calculated and analyzed in relation to the half-life determined by the N-terminal amino acid of the proteins.. Linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) levels were compared with EFSA recommendations, (3) The national survey of emergency food stocks in hospitals and social care institutions conducted in Jan, 2024 was analyzed. Results: (1) DIAAS was less than 1.00 for all 11 foods provided and was considered inadequate, (2) the half-life of the protein, whose N-terminal valine has a half-life of 100 hours, must be considered a possible deficiency when living in a shelter for more than a week, (3) LA and ALA levels were less than 40% of EFSA recommended, (4) the nationwide survey found that 80% of people have a 3-day supply and are likely to be energy and protein deficient. Conclusion: Analysis of foods in evacuation shelters after the Noto Peninsula earthquake revealed that the quality of amino acids and fatty acids seem inadequate according to DIAAS and EFSA recommendations. The “Duplicated Combination” Model might be useful to investigate the quality of foods in the shelters.