Research Progress in Printing Formulation for 3D Printing of Healthy Future Foods

Eating patterns, financial and time constraints, and food availability play a key role in the wide variety of diets followed by young adults. As a result, many young consumers turn to quick and sometimes less healthy low nutrition options from convenience stores. In order to offer healthy and nutritious food, 3D printing can be used to make individualized diet plans and produce meals depending on factors such as age, occupation, and personal choice. In the field of food technology, 3D printing is a well-established additive manufacturing (AM) technology used to produce highly individualized food items. The types of foods that have been manufactured via 3D printing are evolving continuously. Customization of food and environmental sustainability are now possible because of this rapid and risk-free manufacturing approach. Future foods will include alternative proteins, plant-based products, insect protein etc. Current and future generations need healthy alternatives since most ready-to-eat or customized foods lack significant amounts of required nutrients. Due to eating disorders, allergies, or unpredictable eating habits, many young adults, especially those between 18 and 30 years of age, tend to suffer increasingly from malnutrition, obesity, and linked conditions like diabetes. 3D food printing is suitable for meeting this demand for nutritionally packed meals for the youth, which can be used to customize meal plans and meals for people with special diets. This paper summarizes recent studies on 3D printing formulations for future foods especially suited for young people.