Pancakes from the printer for sick children

Why is 3D-printed food needed for hospitalised children?

Malnutrition in hospitalised children is a major problem and is detrimental to the healing process. Medical conditions (e.g. medication or therapies) and unappealing foods can result in children eating or drinking too little.

The 3D-printing of food appears to be a promising technology for creating meals in new, attractive shapes. It also allows food to be enriched with nutrients, which is good for children’s health.

How was the research project implemented?

the iPrint Institute of the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland has developed the first products under laboratory conditions. This has resulted in recipes for printed foodstuffs that include medical sip feeds among the ingredients. These ensure that the recipe contains a sufficient level of nutrients.

The researchers are currently focusing on printing snacks for between meals, such as small pancakes.

How do the researchers ensure that the children like the taste of the printed food?

The products printed to date are based on things that children probably know from their everyday lives: things like cookies, or pancakes, as we’ve already mentioned. It is important that the printed snacks are attractive. The children need to be encouraged to eat, to prevent malnutrition.

What’s new about the researchers’ approach is to involve the children in the design of a snack. It would be possible for them to say what shape of pancake they want printed, for example. The children are bound to have fun designing their own individual products.

What challenges does the project have to overcome?

There are currently two challenges in the focus of the project: firstly, the children need to like the products. So the next step for the researchers will be to run tests with children in a clinic. The children will be asked to rate different products: the flavour, on the one hand, but also the texture and size of the snacks.

Secondly, there is a need for research into how snack production can be integrated into processes at the clinic. The focus here is on practical issues, such as how a 3D printer can be used on a hospital ward.

How does the research project benefit society?

Malnutrition is a serious issue in our society. It affects many people who don’t or can’t (any longer) eat a balanced diet. The insights that the researchers gain from the project for children are also valuable for other population groups. For example, 3D-printed food could be used for elderly people in a care facility.

Nutrition has a high priority in a caring society. It contributes significantly to people’s health and a healthy lifestyle.

How long will it be before children in hospital are given printed food to eat?

3D printing processes have been used in the food industry and the food-service sector for quite some time. The researchers are confident that the concept can be adapted to hospitals. Being able to create custom snacks for between meals can help to improve patients’ nutrition. The technology could conceivably also be used in applications to make medicines more attractive.

The researchers’ work is still at an early stage. Before printed food can be included on hospital menus, there are a number of challenges yet to overcome.