Edible ink for food printing and packaging applications: a review

Abstract

The food industry has witnessed significant advancements in food printing and packaging. Edible ink is a major innovation, which has revolutionized the food industry by providing customized, attractive, and safe food printing solutions. This review article aims to explore various aspects of edible ink, including its composition, applications, and challenges. The study was conducted by analyzing current research articles and patents related to edible ink and food printing technology. This study revealed that edible ink is composed of food-grade materials and can be printed on different food surfaces, including cakes, cookies, and bread. Edible ink is used widely in the food industry, such as in the customization of cakes, chocolates, and pastries, labeling and branding of food products, and printing of food-based images for special occasions. We also highlighted the challenges associated with using edible ink, such as its limited color range and printing resolution. Nonetheless, edible ink has emerged as a game-changing technology in the food industry that offers innovative and safe food printing and packaging solutions. Despite the challenges associated with its use, the benefits of edible ink outweigh its limitations. Further research is required to overcome the limitations associated with the use of edible ink and to explore its new applications in the food industry.