Biozoon, a German company, is developing a 3D-printed food extruder that creates food for people with the inability to swallow. The food is designed to melt in a person's mouth so that they can eat without choking if they can't swallow. Biozoon is using molecular gastronomy to the food that can be printed using a standard extruder-based type 3D-printer. Once printed, the completely edible food turns solid. When it is eaten it quickly dissolves in the mouth. The product can be molded and extruded in multiple ways and have color and texture added so that it looks and tastes almost like real food. The disability of being unable to swallow is called dysphagia and usually occures in elderly patients. It is estimated that over 60% of older patients have problems swallowing and this technology could save lives by helping to ensure that they don't choke but also that they dong get food particles into their lungs.
