Drawbacks of 3D printing

 The 3D printing of food is a relatively new technology and has several disadvantages, including:

- Limit range of materials: Food 3D printers can currently only print food using a limited range of materials, such as chocolate, dough, and some types of meat. This means that the printing of a wide variety of foods is still limited.

- Limited nutritional value: 3D-printed food often has limited nutritional value because it is typically made from pureed food that is extruded through a nozzle. This can lead to a loss of nutrients and fibers that would otherwise be present in the food.

- Higher costs: 3D-printed food can be more expensive than conventional food, due to the high cost of the 3d printing technology and the materials needed to print food.

- Time and labor-intensive: Printing food is currently a time-consuming process, and it can also be labor-intensive to program and calibrate the 3D printer to create the desired shape.

- Potential safety risks: There are still uncertainties about the food safety of 3D-printed food. It is possible that the materials used to print food may not be safe for consumption, or that the printing process itself may release potentially harmful substances. (The Essential Guide to Food Safe 3D Printing, n.d.)

- Lack of taste and texture: 3D-printed food can sometimes lack texture and taste, making is less appealing to consumers. This can be especially problematic for foods where texture and taste are important, such as meat and vegetables. (3D Printed Foods Texture Testing | Stable Micro Systems, n.d.)

- Limited shelf-life: Due-to structural changes that can occur over time as well as the potential, in some instances, for microbial growth 3D-printed foods usually have limited shelf-life. (foodmanufacture.co.uk, 2019)

Overall, the 3D printing of food still has some disadvantages that need to be overcome before is can be widely applied in the food industry.

foodmanufacture.co.uk. (2019, April 17). 3D printing and food: five things you need to know. https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2019/04/17/3D-printing-and-food-five-things-you-need-to-know#:~:text=3D%2Dprinted%20foods%20usually%20have,they%20can%20be%20cleaned%20thoroughly.

The Essential Guide to Food Safe 3D Printing. (n.d.). Formlabs. https://formlabs.com/blog/guide-to-food-safe-3d-printing/

3D printed Foods Texture Testing | Stable Micro Systems. (n.d.). Stable Micro Systems. https://www.stablemicrosystems.com/3d-printed-foods.html