This can of chocolate pudding is typical of Shuttle-era menu choices; it was returned from the STS-27 Shuttle mission (Atlantis) in 1988. Space Shuttle astronauts choose their meals several months before flight from a list of hundreds of food items. A variety of nutritious breakfast foods, fruits, soups, vegetables, entrees, desserts, snacks, and beverages is available, and crew members may also request personal preferences beyond the basic list. As there is no onboard refrigerator or freezer, most foods stocked on the Shuttle are processed for storage at room temperature. Individual portions are packaged in disposable plastic containers, pop-top cans, or foil pouches, and foods are eaten directly from these containers. Astronauts prepare their meals at a galley station where they warm food packages and use a hot-cold water dispenser to rehydrate dried foods.

It was transferred from NASA to the Smithsonian Institution in 1989.