Forma Foods: advancing 3D printing for plant-based proteins

By utilizing advanced 3D printing technology, Forma Foods, a startup incubated at Tecnológico de Monterrey, is producing meat alternatives that closely mimic the texture, flavor, and appearance of traditional meat products.

Founded by experts in tissue engineering, Grissel Trujillo de Santiago and Mario Moises Alvarez, Forma Foods' unique approach involves replicating the microstructures of animal tissues. This innovative process, known as 'chaotic printing', enables the company to create plant-based products that it suggests are indistinguishable from their meat-based counterparts.

Initially focused on lab-grown meat, Forma Foods shifted its attention to plant-based options due to the high costs associated with animal cell-based processes. Leveraging their expertise and financial backing from Tec Ventures and Saya Bio, the company has successfully adapted 3D printing technology to transform vegetable pastes into meat-like products.

Forma Foods' products are designed to replicate popular Mexican dishes, such as arrachera and carne al pastor. By using ingredients like pea protein, oriental prebiotic fiber, and coconut oil, the company is able to mimic the muscle, connective tissue, and fat found in traditional meat. This innovative approach has garnered attention from the culinary industry, with Michelin-starred Chef Rodrigo Rivera Rio expressing interest in a custom-shaped beet version of their product.

Beyond targeting vegan consumers, Forma Foods is also appealing to individuals seeking to reduce their meat consumption for health, ethical, or environmental reasons. By offering a healthier and more sustainable alternative, the company's innovations could help reduce methane emissions, lower water consumption, and decrease the environmental footprint of livestock farming.

"We want to push the boundaries of what's possible with innovative food technology," commented Grissel Trujillo, CSO at Forma Foods.