China’s MOODLES believes 3D printing staple foods with precise nutrients is the way forward
Many firms that have tried to specialize in 3D-printed foods, which are touted as the future of precision nutrition and custom food, have encountered significant obstacles in terms technology, price and demand volume, especially in China.
Moodles is convinced that the only solution to this problem is to focus on using 3D-printing technology to produce nutritious staple foods like rice and noodles. Local consumers are already familiar with these products and will readily accept them in their daily diets.
“It is true that Chinese consumers want more precise nutrition in their products, as well as to ensure that these are clean with no additives or artificial colours, flavours or added sugars,” MOODLES Founder Peiran Zhu told FoodNavigator-Asia.
“At the same time, there is rising importance for meals to be convenient e.g. All the nutrients that they need in one product and for it to be ready-to eat or ready-to heat.
“3D food printing is able to satisfy all of these requirements, and indeed many consumers are looking towards high technology products in order to get all of their requirements met – but there is still a gap in terms of getting them to transition from traditional foods.”
Zhu says that the presentation or delivery of these new-age foods could be improved.
“The key is to integrate the nutrients from protein to fat to carbohydrates and so on into a food format that consumers are familiar with, and also be able to customise the contents of each according to their needs,”He added.
“A lot of 3D food printing is being used in areas such as chocolates and processed meats – but we at MOODLES believe that there is a gap in terms of utilising high nutrient ingredients in making staple foods.
“We have developed technology to use various animal proteins together with the necessary fats and carbohydrates in scientifically-controlled amounts to make them into formats like noodles – a major staple in China.”
Diabetics and other consumers who require less starch or carbohydrates are a major target market for the company.
“Think of using chicken for example but giving this a carbohydrate mouthfeel via 3D printing technology when printed into noodles,”He explained.
“This enables the consumers to just eat these directly as a staple meal and think of it as a noodle or rice dish without even needing to change their dietary habits.”
Markets of major interest
Zhu also targets consumers who are interested in fitness, general health, children, and more.
“There is a lot of potential for many types of consumers as there is so much personalisation and customisation available using this technology,”He said.
“The fact is that traditional foods are really no longer good enough in the context of today’s consumers’ lifestyles, and as the body ages and needs change, 3D printing can also adapt to these needs which makes it an even more important technology for the industry to prosper.”