Science and technology

Friday, 23 June, 2017 - 14:47

3D printing: the future of food production?

by ChloeBlogger

3D printing is becoming more and more popular. We are now able to print things such as clothing, prosthetic limbs, musical instruments and prototype cars. People and businesses are able to create the things they need very quickly and easily using 3D printers.

But can you imagine printing food? Some scientists are trying to revolutionise the dining experience by doing this. They hope that having a 3D printer in the kitchen will become as commonplace as the microwave or blender. Scientists say that they are easy to use: you simply have to select a recipe and put the raw food 'inks' into the printer. You can also modify the instructions to make the food exactly how you want it. This means that it would be very quick and easy to create tasty and nutritious meals.

Using 3D printers to create your meals would also be saving the environment. There would be less need for traditional growing, transporting and packaging processes as food production would be a lot more efficient. For example, alternative ingredients such as proteins from algae, beetroot leaves and insects could be converted into tasty products!

Printing food could also help people who suffer from dysphasia (a swallowing disorder). They could program the printer to print softer versions of their favourite foods so that they would not have trouble swallowing them.

However, some people think that a future of 3D-printed food would be a disaster. It could take away many jobs, including those for growing, transporting and packaging food. Imagine a world where there was no need for farming or growing crops and the same tastes and textures could be printed from a raw 'food ink'. Likewise, traditional cafés and restaurants might lose business. Also, there are concerns about the nutritional value of printed food: is it really possible to get the nutrients we need from food-based inks and gels?

What’s more, cooking and eating together with family and friends has long been a traditional and enjoyable activity. It is hard to imagine a world where the pastime of cooking is dead and meals can be created at the touch of a button.

Discussion

What do you think about 3D printing food? Would you try it?

Submitted by gratzolgeri on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 08:03

I think it would be an perfect way to end the famine, however I would not try it because that is simply not food

Submitted by vivien0920 on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 07:49

In my opinion 3D food printing is not a good idea because it is very expensive so not everyone can afford it

Submitted by hpeaounl on Mon, 04/13/2020 - 06:27

In my opinion, I think 3d printing food would be a great idea. 1rst of all it would be so useful in many situations, (e.g when you have a visitor coming to your house). I would enjoy this product because it would save so much time and make delicious meals for you. But the bad thing about this product is that it uses artificial food ink instead of natural fresh ingredients. Anyways, I would be looking forward to having a 3d printing food in the future.
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Submitted by sakuracardcaptor on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 09:44

I don't think 3D printing food is a good idea because it's better to cook ourselves. We can focus on what we eat and it also helps us to relax, too.

Submitted by mblanco23 on Sat, 03/21/2020 - 16:45

I think that he is right, but at the same time, this advance can help a large number of people because they would not have to grow so much food and so there would be more people.

Submitted by soyyo07 on Sat, 03/21/2020 - 16:15

I think it would be an excellent way to end the famine, however I would not try it because that is simply not food

Submitted by juanro on Fri, 08/16/2019 - 15:40

I think that this is a way in which technology advances even more, I also think that it is a possible solution for populations affected with the problem of hunger, as long as the people who do these experiments are willing to share them. Also, I never eat any food that comes from that method because I prefer ever the natural food. J D Rodriguez

Submitted by mblanco23 on Sat, 03/21/2020 - 16:43

I think that he is right, but this advance of the tecnology can help to a large number of persons because thirs machine don´t need a large number of food and so there would be more people .

In reply to by juanro

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Submitted by empty on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 07:10

I just found a 3D printing shop ! I'd like to try this thing !

Submitted by noanaomy on Wed, 06/12/2019 - 17:23

When this will turn common it will mean that very much traditions will get lost or you want to turn cooking with your family into looking with your family how the 3D-printer makes your food.

Submitted by noanaomy on Wed, 06/12/2019 - 17:20

It would be a disaster for pretty much people, but it is also very revolutionaire

Submitted by 48583 on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 15:35

I think although it is the way to solve food insecurity and tackle the problems It is too expensive and take away many jobs opportunities.

Submitted by ching_ on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 15:00

I think 3D printing in food production will give lots of benefits to our daily lives, and help us a lot. However, there are some disadvantages of 3D printing too, e.g. it is so expensive to buy that machine, it takes a lot of time, etc. To conclude, I think 3D printing still have some area to improve, to make it more suitable for people to use.

Submitted by AquaEclipse on Sat, 03/16/2019 - 11:48

I am required to comment on this for my British Council course teacher... I must say, 3D printing food is pretty cool, but won't that be difficult to afford for families that aren't that financially secure (i.e. poor)? Thus, I believe that even if this becomes common, we can't fully rely on 3D printing food.

Submitted by 0818 on Sat, 03/16/2019 - 03:26

3D printing is a good technology but it is too expensive for people to buy it and it also take away the traditional ways to cook.
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Submitted by Vilgon on Tue, 05/08/2018 - 11:17

I love the things 3D printers can bring us, but i think printing food is going too far and at the same time it would be way too expensive for me, considering how much normal 3D printer costs.
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