In 2026, NASA backed scientists make 'microbites' cookies from plastic bottles in vanilla flavour using baker's yeast that could feed astronauts on Mars

NASA scientists produce edible vanilla-flavoured ‘microbites’ from plastic bottles (Photo: SIU Carbondale Communications)NASA-backed project scientists produce food from plasticThe main target is to make judicious use of plastic bottlesMicrobes turn plastic to edible vanilla-flavoured ‘microbites’Safe to eat, but what about the taste? Plastic waste keeps piling up in oceans, landfills, and cities, while millions of people around the world still don't have enough to eat. "The main target is PET (polyethylene terephthalate), the plastic used in most soda and water bottles. "Before yeast can use the waste, though, it has to be broken down into simpler molecules. For now, people have judged the cookies mainly by smell, and most said they'd be willing to eat them in situations where food was scarce.

Source: Times of India September 14, 2026 03:45 UTC