Gastronology Expands 3D Printed Dysphagia Food to Belgium

A New Era in Healthcare Nutrition: Gastronology's Expansion into Belgium \\[10pt] Dutch 3D food printing company Gastronology has recently signed a distribution deal with Belgian firm Revogan, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy. This partnership aims to introduce Gastronology’s innovative dysphagia-friendly food line, known as Dysphalicious, to care homes and hospitals across Belgium, with orders set to begin in August 2026. \\[10pt] Revogan brings more than just distribution capabilities to the table; it has a well-established network of relationships with dietitians, speech therapists, and care institutions in Belgium. This strategic alliance will provide Gastronology with a faster and more efficient entry into the Belgian healthcare market, where products often require strong endorsements from trusted professionals. \\[10pt] ## Scaling Consistency and Quality \\[10pt] One of the key advantages of Gastronology’s 3D printed meals is the consistency they offer. Since April 2024, the company has been producing Dysphalicious meals at scale, working with contract manufacturer Budelfood B.V. in Poortvliet, Netherlands. These meals meet the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) level 4, ensuring that they are pureed to a texture that requires no chewing. The development of these meals involved input from dietitians, speech therapists, and an SVH-certified master chef, ensuring both nutritional value and palatability. \\[10pt] For care facilities, this means a reliable, ready-to-use product that eliminates the variability and inconsistency often associated with on-site preparation. Inconsistent results in texture-modified food preparation have long been a challenge in institutional dysphagia care, where meals are typically produced by blending or pureeing standard dishes in facility kitchens. 3D printing allows for the creation of visually appealing and precisely textured meals, which is a significant improvement over traditional methods. \\[10pt] ## Implications for ASEAN Factories \\[10pt] The success of Gastronology’s expansion into Belgium holds important lessons for factories in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. As the demand for specialized and consistent food products grows, particularly in the healthcare sector, there is a significant opportunity for local manufacturers to adopt 3D printing technology. This can help them meet the stringent quality and consistency requirements of the healthcare industry, while also reducing waste and improving efficiency. \\[10pt] In Thailand, for example, the aging population and the increasing number of care facilities create a growing market for dysphagia-friendly foods. Vietnamese and Indonesian factories, with their robust manufacturing capabilities, can leverage 3D printing to produce high-quality, consistent food products for both domestic and export markets. Malaysian factories, known for their advanced technology adoption, can also benefit from this trend by integrating 3D printing into their production processes. \\[10pt] ## Conclusion \\[10pt] Gastronology’s partnership with Revogan and its expansion into Belgium highlight the potential of 3D printing in the healthcare nutrition sector. For ASEAN factories, this presents a valuable opportunity to explore and invest in 3D printing technology. By doing so, they can not only meet the growing demand for specialized food products but also enhance their competitive edge in the global market. \\[10pt] **Takeaway for Factory Buyers:** Consider investing in 3D printing technology to produce consistent, high-quality, and specialized food products. This can open up new markets and opportunities, particularly in the healthcare sector, and position your factory as a leader in innovation and quality.