Scientists are developing 3D-printed super-smooth gel-like foods for the elderly that can be eaten without chewing.
The technique is aimed at deconstructing common foods such as chicken, carrots and fruits into a smooth form that can be eaten without chewing and then reconstructed to give the appearance of a conventional meal.
The research, funded by the European Union (EU), could help address one of the root causes of malnutrition in the elderly - that people lose their love of food, scientists say.
The idea builds on food products that are already being made by the German company Biozoon, which does a similar thing but uses silicon moulds to shape the food rather than printing it, 'The Times' reported.
"Basically we want to industrialise a concept we refer to as smoothfood," said Mathias Kuck, founder of Biozoon and co-ordinator of the EU's Performance project.
For instance, a carrot would be cooked, pureed and strained, mixed with the solidifying agent and then printed layer by layer into the shape of a sliced carrot.
"The look and taste of the end product matches the original food item. But the texture is soft and gel-like. It dissolves easily in the mouth so that it is safe to eat for people with mastication or swallowing problems," Kuck said.
He added that there had been a positive reception to Biozoon's smoothfood products, which have been adopted in more than 1,000 care homes in Germany.
"We found that because the meals are more appealing in terms of appearance and taste, people look forward to eating again," he said.
