3-D Printed Soft Food For The Elderly To Hit Shelves In 2016

3-D printed food has already revolutionized the way we prepare food on a daily basis, but now it could change the lives of people who find it difficult to consume regular food. The Smoothfood concept uses new 3-D printer technology called seneoPro that prints out food with the shape and flavor of regular food, but is soft and can be swallowed without chewing. The products, which are geared toward the elderly, could be hitting nursing homes and caregiving centers as early as 2016. The concept was created in 2010, and production of looks to be completed by the end of 2015.

According to Biozoon, the German company that came up with the concept:

"The powder mixes in the seneoPro® range are suitable for universal use so that both family carers as well as professional chefs and nursing staff can easily prepare these new forms of nutrition. Starters, main courses, desserts and snacks can be made which meet individual requirements, are balanced and above all optically appealing. Eating with enjoyment, pleasure and all the senses becomes possible again and structure is brought back into everyday life."

Right now, the technology is capable of mimicking six different types of foods with their Smoothfood technology: cauliflower, peas, chicken, pork, potatoes, and pasta. The long term goal is to get seneoPro to people's homes, so that older adults with chewing troubles can make food for themselves.  

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Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @JoannaFantozzi