Could 3D printing solve the global food crisis?
A recent news feature on Eurasian news website – eurasiareview.com – proposed the intriguing possibility of using additive manufacturing technology to provide stable nutrition for people in the poorest nations of southeast Asia. As climate change continues to wreak havoc across the globe, poorer regions tend to be the worst hit areas. Natural disasters often bring severe food shortages to already vulnerable regions. Furthermore, many countries severely lack the quality and quantity of food required for adequate nutrition. Both of these issues lead to chronic malnutrition among people in countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines.
Of course, additive manufacturing hasn’t taken over the global economy. But its use in an increasingly disparate range of industries grows each day. In terms of the global food crisis, the postulated benefits of printing food are incredible. Firstly, it addresses malnutrition thanks to customization that ensures adequate nutrient intake, based on a person’s dietary requirements. Moreover, 3D-printed food offers portability and on-demand nutrients compared to traditional food production methods. This makes the technology invaluable during times of disaster when a region might not have access to transport and thus food.
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