Chapter 14

Globalization of Printed Foods and Consumer Perception to 3D Printed Foods

C. Anandharamakrishnan

C. Anandharamakrishnan

National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management - Thanjavur (an Institute of National Importance; formerly Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology - IIFPT), Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

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Jeyan A. Moses

Jeyan A. Moses

National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management - Thanjavur (an Institute of National Importance; formerly Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology - IIFPT), Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

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T. Anukiruthika

T. Anukiruthika

National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management - Thanjavur (an Institute of National Importance; formerly Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology - IIFPT), Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

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First published: 25 March 2022

Summary

3D printing is a disruptive technology that claims to simplify the food supply and distribution chain. With the outbreak of technological boon, 3D printing is increasingly adopted in the manufacturing sector due to design innovations, cost-effectiveness, minimal wastage, higher flexibility, on-demand production, and digital fabrication. However, the socioeconomic benefits and the environmental sustainability of 3D printing are not well understood. The convergence of 3D printing with the cocreation of web-based technologies leads to the globalization of 3D-printed foods. The present chapter summarizes the sustainability and the circular economy of 3D food printing. With technological advancements, the online platforms allow consumers, culinary professionals, and industrial firms to share the e-files with less effort and time. 3D food printing is forecasted to create a new competitive dynamic market through digitalization and the democratization of food production practices. Understanding the economic paradigms of food production through 3D printing is adequate. Certainly, this chapter highlights the real-world practical implications of large-scale adoption of food 3D printing. Consumer behavior, bias, food preferences, and buying habits remain the potential drivers of the market of 3D-printed foods that would lead to the usage of 3D food printers in every kitchen as a domestic appliance in near future. Since the business model of 3D printing has a broad range of the spectrum that incurs grayscale in between the marketing firms, more case studies are required on the management of food supply and distribution chain of 3D printing of foods. Addressing these research gaps would transform food production and rebalances the global economy in combating climate change and environmental concerns.

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