Types of Space Food

Food on the Space Shuttle
Photo courtesy NASA

There are eight categories of space food:

Rehydratable Food: The water is removed from foods to make them easier to store. Water is replaced in the foods before they are eaten. Rehydratable items include beverages as well as food items. Hot cereal such as oatmeal is a rehydratable food.

Thermostabilised Food: Thermostabilised foods are heat processed so they can be stored at room temperature. Most fruits and tuna fish are thermostabilised in cans. The cans open with easy-open pull tabs similar to fruit cups that can be purchased in the local grocery store. Puddings are packaged in plastic cups.

Irradiated Food: Beef steak and smoked turkey are the only irradiated products being used at this time. These products are cooked and packaged in flexible foil pouches and sterilised by ionising radiation so they can be kept at room temperature. Other irradiated products are being developed for the International Space Station.

Intermediate Moisture Food: Intermediate moisture foods are preserved by taking some water out of the product while leaving enough in to maintain the soft texture. This way, it can be eaten without any preparation. These foods include dried peaches, pears, apricots, and beef jerky.  

Natural Form Food: These foods are ready to eat and are packaged in flexible pouches. Examples include: nuts, granola bars, and cookies.  

Frozen Food: These foods are quick frozen to prevent a build-up of large ice crystals. This maintains the original texture of the food and helps it taste fresh. Examples include: quiches, casseroles, and chicken potpie.  

Fresh Food: These foods are neither processed nor artificially preserved. Examples include apples and bananas. 

Refrigerated Food: These foods require cold or cool temperatures to prevent them from going bad. Examples include: cream cheese and sour cream.

Check that you understand what these words mean in this document
To replace: to put something back where it belongs.
To sterilise: to free something from live bacteria or other micro-organisms.
To preserve: to prevent from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use.
To package: to enclose in a packet or box or protective covering.
To maintain: to keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction.