UK care provider exploring nutrient-rich 3D printed food

Spellman Care, a company that operates a series of nursing homes for elderly residents in Yorkshire, UK, has teamed up with the University of Leeds to examine the use of 3D printed food to improve nutrition and dining experiences for elderly residents who live with dysphagia, a swallowing condition that requires texture-modified diets.

The collaboration began with a series of semi-structured interviews conducted by Dr. Steffen Hirth, Research Fellow in Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems at the University of Leeds. Each of Spellman Care’s homes participated individually, with head chefs paired alongside colleagues with nursing or care expertise.

The sessions were designed to gather practical feedback on kitchen operations and how 3D printing technology could be integrated into care home environments.

Addressing the limits of texture-modified foods

Traditional texture-modified diets such as mashes or purees – served to reduce choking risk in residents with dysphagia — have their own challenges, namely visual appeal and nutritional density.

“Imagine reaching the final chapter of your life, where every meal feels like punishment — shapeless, tasteless, and stripped of dignity. This is the daily reality for thousands of older British adults who are on texture-modified foods because they suffer from swallowing difficulties,” stated Hirth.

“Texture modified means that foods are mashes or purees that reduce choking risk, but they are not always visually appealing and adding water reduces the nutritional density — malnutrition is a really big problem that affects 50% of people in care homes.

“In total, 1.3 million people aged 65+ are at risk of malnutrition. We are developing 3D printed foods that can make food safe, nutritious and joyful again.”

Philippa Young, Operations Manager at Spellman Care, said the company’s early involvement was intended to shape outcomes specifically suited to care settings.

“It has been a privilege for our homes to be involved so early in the project’s development, “ she said. “By sharing our frontline expertise, we are helping to ensure the final results are perfectly tailored to the unique needs of the care industry.

“We are committed to embracing innovation that enhances the quality of life for our residents.”

The next phase of the study will see Spellman Care representatives travel to the University of Leeds to trial 3D printed food prototypes firsthand.