Similarities between Disaster Food and Space Food

Disaster and space environments are similar in that they are closed environment, with limited lifelines. Here, we examined the similarity between disaster food and space food, to explore interactive problem-solving of food support for disaster and space environments. The Japan Disaster Food Certification Standards (Japan Disaster Food Soci-ety) and the Japanese Space Food Certification Standards (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) requirements and certified products, which were posted on the websites as of June 16, 2021, were compared. Certified products were classified into staple foods, main and/or side dishes, milk and dairy products, fruits, confectionery and favorite beverages, condiments, dietary supplements, and sets. Certification standards involved six items for Japan Disaster Food and eight items for Japanese Space Food. Most standards were similar. Concretely, both standards demanded room temperature storage, tough packaging and hygiene management in facilities. Both emphasized habitual food and easy eating. However, the best-by date was >= 6 mo for Japan Disaster Food, but >= 1.5 y for Japanese Space Food. In addition, Japanese Space Food required noted nutritious, food hygienic, eatable in space, cookable by specific equipment, endurable pressure by launch, and domestically produced food. There were 171 and 47 products of Japan Disaster Food and Japanese Space Food, respectively. Staple foods (pregelatinized rice, etc.) and main and/or side dishes were commonest among Japan Disaster Foods and Japanese Space Foods, respectively. It is possible to utilize of Space Food as Disaster Food, but there are some issues that must be cleared before utilization of Disaster Food as Space Food.

Automated summary

This study compared the similarity between disaster food and space food and explored ways to provide food support for disaster and space environments. The study found that the standards and requirements for both types of food were mostly similar, with some differences. It is possible to utilize space food as disaster food, but issues need to be addressed before using disaster food as space food.