‘Everything that can be imagined can be done’ – is the future here?

It requires research, a little time, patience and careful thought… and much optimism….

Do you believe it?

If you do -- continue reading. You understand the core meaning of ‘Innovation – creativity in action’; bringing together insights and research from different scientific perspectives to create new insights and products even when it initially seems far-fetched.

This is the world in which I function most of the time.

If you do not believe the title, please do not read any further …. What you read here will seem to be (and has been judged to be by some people) pure science fiction (Hollywood-style).

If you are still reading and have an interest in the Food and Beverage Industry from the perspective of Ingredients, Manufacturing, Food quality and –safety, creating consumer delight, the reality of convenience when food decisions are made, the reality of creating healthy food options and more, you may find the following interesting:

Imagine a world where a microwave oven-like piece of equipment will only cook food (if you wish to do so) after it created the food product that you selected.

Does this ring any bells? It should. Quite a number of years ago Science Fiction movies depicted just that. In 2012 it seemed like a hoax equated to the idea that humans could live on nutritional supplements alone ( https://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2012/06/vertical_farms_gmo_salmon_lab_grown_meat_and_the_future_of_food_.html  ). Since then we have caught periodic glimpses of continuing research.

Where are we now?

Apparently further advanced than we imagined – and perhaps it is time for product developers to start thinking seriously and performing applied research if they are not already doing so (I know I am). Will this be the basis of the food to accompany mankind to Mars and beyond?

Why is this important? Why now?

To answer these questions we should jump way ahead into the future and imagine that it would indeed be possible to create your favorite food (without individual fresh purchases) in your own home. Imagine that this food could be structured to be healthy and nutritionally balanced, while sensorically identical to the products you love. It has the same taste profile, delivers the same contentment.. . delivered almost instantly … without shopping, just replenishing base ingredients or molecules.

Ludicrous?

Perhaps – or not.

It is the ‘or not part’ that should cause some concern. Remember what the computer did to the typewriter? What happened to communication and interaction when mobile phones came along? What about the television set in every home? Remember how many people then said it was ludicrous?

Looking at progress in each of the applicable scientific disciplines in isolation, could this future look like a flight of fancy? Possibly, and yet, when the reports are viewed together and we start to follow the thread of research like a string of pearls that eventually form a beautiful necklace, a different reality becomes possible.

To follow this thread, different issues should be taken into account:

1.      The production of meat in a laboratory (it is possible to ‘grow’ or culture meat) (2017 https://www.futureforall.org/2017/january/lab-grown-meat.html ; https://futurism.com/bill-gates-and-richard-branson-invest-in-lab-grown-meat-startup/ , and other foodstuffs, at https://www.digitaljournal.com/life/food/vegans-can-eat-milk-meat-and-eggs-again-thanks-to-microbes/article/459806 ).

2.      Progress in 3-dimensional food printing (since 2013-2014). (https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/11-food-3d-printers-36052/ ). Today it is envisioned that a food 3-D printer may be in some homes within 2 years and apparently some international retailers are already conducting research on its use in retail. Imagine ‘printed’ bread, snacks, chocolate…. (https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/11-food-3d-printers-36052/ ), with perfect nutritional balance. A healthy meal and snack the press of a button away. What about ‘solid’ drinks to circumvent the container restriction (glass or cup)? Question is – why would consumers need retailers if they had their imagined food choices accessible in their homes at point of consumption? In any case it would require exceptional computer technology to make it happen? Which brings us to point 3:

3.      Progress in practical quantum computers – they could be available in 1-5 years (https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603495/10-breakthrough-technologies-2017-practical-quantum-computers/). “Quantum computers can solve problems that are impossible or would take a traditional computer an impractical amount of time (a billion years) to solve” (https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2017/10/10/15-things-everyone-should-know-about-quantum-computing/#13003a361f73 ). This may be the required computer (once scientists iron out the issues – the computer is apparently sensitive to environmental changes at this time).

4.      Once the computer is in place, what about Nanotechnology on a molecular level? Why be limited by ingredients? (https://www.understandingnano.com/food.html ). What about Minerals, Amino Acids to Molecules or Atoms? Would ‘ingredients’ as we know it be required or will it cause the very nature of ingredients to evolve?

5.      What could the Food safety implications be? What about challenges in auditing for food safety and quality control? More importantly almost -- what about consumer acceptability and food neophobia? Remember the issues with irradiation processing? How should this be addressed (and tested)? Perhaps millennial consumers could be using cultured meat and produce (see point 1), making the idea of ‘home-computer printer-created’ food less daunting. (https://www.nanotechproject.org/process/assets/files/2706/94_pen4_agfood.pdf ), (https://www.foeeurope.org/sites/default/files/publications/out_of_the_laboratory.pdf ). Would it not provide a unique solution to food security (-insecurity) and malnutrition even in the most inaccessible places when safety, quality and all the other requirements could be addressed? What would manufacturing facilities need to be – perhaps they would still exist as we know it today (just like the very safe irradiated herbs that exist next to the salted beef and canned fruit)?

The companies that are ready to make the leap when the time comes, could benefit. Who is investing where? (Consider point 1).

Still reading?

Then perhaps also go to:

Link 1: 15 Things everyone should know about quantum computing, by Bernard Marr at https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2017/10/10/15-things-everyone-should-know-about-quantum-computing/#13003a361f73 . The author also provides an explanation for the term ‘quantum computer’ at https://www.bernardmarr.com/default.asp?contentID=1143.

Link 2: 2017 Patent for food 3-D Printer, at https://www.google.com/patents/WO2017006330A1?cl=en .

Link 3: 2017-2018 The future of 3D Food Printing for professionals and consumers, at https://3dfoodprintingconference.com/ .

Link 4: 2014 Heard of the Foodini? It prints / printed burgers (that can /could be eaten), at https://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/06/tech/innovation/foodini-machine-print-food/index.html .

This is just the tip of the proverbial ice-berg. There is much more to research, study, consider, internalize and contemplate.

Are you starting to see the sting of pearls that in time could be creating a beautiful and unique necklace?

I am.

Have a great day.