By: Sana Abdullah
Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Cancer-related malnutrition is highly prevalent in patients undergoing cancer treatment. The current clinical nutrition market offers different oral nutritional support products, yet these fail to address the pleasure of eating or patient’s food preferences. Oncofood project reveals the expectations of cancer patients regarding new food solutions. The clinical nutrition market for cancer patients is expected to grow by 5.3 from 2020 to 2027. There are currently no food products specifically targeted at cancer patients in the food retail sector. ONCOFOOD aims to address nutritional, sensorial and texture requirements. Cancer patients and caregivers often don’t have the time to prepare complex meals. Food becomes part of the healing process and is perceived as medicine for cancer patients. The research found they look carefully at ingredients of every product they buy; focusing on those with no added sugar. The polish-based food company, Maspex, proposed the development of fruit and vegetable snacks in pouch pack format. Natural Machines proposed a range of 3D-printed meals and snacks using several puréed natural ingredients and recipes specifically adapted for nutritional requirements and texturized for dysphagia. New innovative food solutions aimed at those with cancer must be designed considering not only their nutritional needs but their sensory requirements. They must help alleviate symptoms, prevent malnutrition and promote the pleasure of eating, to help encourage a better quality of life. Furthermore, these products should be tasty, natural and convenient. One innovative solution for those in need of texture-modified diets lies in 3D-printed food.
(Sana Abdullah is a student final semester of BS Hons. Department FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
Government College Women University Faisalabad)
