Spellman Care has announced its participation in a collaborative study with the University of Leeds and PRINTFOODS UK to explore the use of 3D printed food in care home settings, focusing on improving nutrition and meal experiences for elderly residents on texture-modified diets.
The initiative centers on individuals following the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative guidelines, aiming to address longstanding challenges around food safety, nutritional density, and presentation. Dysphagia, a condition affecting swallowing, often requires meals to be pureed or mashed, which can diminish both visual appeal and nutrient concentration.
The project began with a series of structured interviews conducted by a University of Leeds researcher, gathering input from head chefs and care staff across Spellman Care’s facilities. These discussions examined existing kitchen practices and assessed how 3D food printing technology could be integrated into real-world care environments.
Spellman Care currently uses moulding and piping techniques to improve the presentation of texture-modified meals, but the study is expected to explore how 3D printing could deliver more consistent, visually appealing, and nutrient-dense food options. The next phase will involve on-site evaluations at the University of Leeds, where care home representatives will test 3D printed food prototypes.
The company said the collaboration builds on its broader focus on innovation in person-centered care, with the goal of enhancing both quality of life and dignity for residents requiring specialized diets.
KEY QUOTES:
“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 (TMFs) because they suffer from swallowing difficulties. 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.”
Steffen, Researcher, University of Leeds
“It has been a privilege for our homes to be involved so early in the project’s development. 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.”
Philippa Young, Operations Manager, Spellman Care
“While we take great pride in the presentation of our current IDDSI meals, the potential for 3D printing to provide consistent, nutrient-dense, and highly realistic food shapes is incredibly exciting. It was invaluable to have our questions answered regarding the technology and to provide direct feedback on what would and wouldn’t work within a real-world care home environment. This ensures the tech is practical, not just innovative.”
Luke Moorhouse, Craig McCarthy, Trevor Aebi, And Eve Kelk, Head Chefs, Spellman Care
