Food in Space
Yummy Yummy!
Food is an essential requirement to sustaining life on and off Earth. However the development and supply of food for spaceflight is necessary for NASA crew for low-earth orbit, but also for as we go beyond and onto Mars.
It is necessary to consider all aspects of the food processing, development, packaging, distribution and consumption for provisions provided to crew in spaceflight. Below are some (but not all) helpful resources to consider for development of spaceflight food.
PDF Downloads
NASA Links
Related Videos
Literature and Scientific Publications
- Before and After: Evaluation of Microbial and Organic Loads in Produce Handling and Packing Operations with Diverse Cleaning and Sanitizing Procedures – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100185
- “From Farm to Fork”: How Space Food Standards Impacted the Food Industry and Changed Food Safety Standards. Historical Studies in the Societal Impact of Spaceflight. Jennifer Ross-Nazzal. Chapter 12, pages 220-236. National Aeronautics and Space Administration 2015. NASA SP-2015-4803. https://history.nasa.gov/sp4801-chapter12.pdf
- Special Operations Forces Nutrition Guide – https://navyseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/special-operations-nutrition-guide.pdf
- Šolcová IP, Šolcová I, Stuchlíková I, Mazehóová Y. The story of 520 days on a simulated flight to Mars. Acta Astronautica. Volume 126. 2016. Pages 178-189. ISSN 0094-5765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2016.04.026
- Space Food for Thought: Challenges and Considerations for Food and Nutrition on Exploration Missions – https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxaa188
- Advanced food packaging systems for space exploration missions – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2023.01.005
- Space food packaging: A review of its past, present and future materials and technologies – https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2752
Related Podcasts
Regulatory References
Guidance links below are for review of applicable regulations or support information.
- National Institute of Health (NIH)
These documents are issued by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences Engineering, and Medicine. The Food and Nutrition Board addresses issues of safety, quality, and adequacy of the food supply; establishes principles and guidelines of adequate dietary intake; and renders authoritative judgments on the relationships among food intake, nutrition, and health.- Nutrient Recommendations and Databases – https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx
- Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Description here- Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP), Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food (Title 21 Part 117 ) – https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-117
- Control of Communicable Diseases (Title 21 CFR Part 1240) – https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-L/part-1240
- Interstate Conveyance Sanitation (Title 21 CFR Part 1250) – https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-L/part-1250
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Description Here- Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) – https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/full-text-food-safety-modernization-act-fsma
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) – https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-regulation-food-and-dietary-supplements/hazard-analysis-critical-control-point-haccp
- FDA Food Code – https://www.fda.gov/food/retail-food-protection/fda-food-code
- Bad Bug Book: Handbook of Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins – https://www.fda.gov/media/83271/download
- Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food: What You Need to Know About the FDA Regulation: Guidance for Industry Small Entity Compliance Guide – https://www.fda.gov/media/108944/download
- Food Contact Regulatory Overview – https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/food-contact-regulatory-overview.pdf?emrc=86c252
- FDA Foods Jurisdiction and Preventive Controls – https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/fda-foods-jurisdiction-and-preventive-controls.pdf?emrc=07058b
- FDA’s Interstate Travel Program-Regulation of Airplanes, Vessels, Trains, and Buses – https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/fdas-interstate-travel-program-regulation-of-airplanes-vessels-trains-and-buses.pdf?emrc=a5c183
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Foodborne Illness and Disease – https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/foodborne-illness-and-disease/
- Production of Meat Poultry Products Under FSIS Jurisdiction – https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2023-production-of-meat-poultry-products-under-fsis-jurisdiction.pdf?emrc=48fc00
- Food Safety and Inspection Service – https://www.fsis.usda.gov/
Additional Resources
- National Air and Space Museum: Tray, Food Heating, Skylab – https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/tray-food-heating-skylab/nasm_A19810315000
- Space food: From creation to consumption – https://spacecenter.org/space-food-from-creation-to-consumption/
- Deep Space Food Challenge – https://www.deepspacefoodchallenge.org/challenge
