Students create edible tape to hold burritos together

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A group of students at Johns Hopkins University has invented an extra ingredient for your burrito that might be as good as guacamole.

For Engineering Design Day, students at the Whiting School of Engineering developed an edible adhesive that can strengthen the structural integrity of the notoriously messy burrito, the university said. The students said their invention was inspired by burritos that frequently busted out of their tortillas and onto their laps.

"First, we learned about the science around tape and different adhesives, and then we worked to find edible counterparts," student Tyler Guarino said.

Guarino was joined by Marie Eric, Rachel Nie and Erin Walsh on the project.

Dubbed "Tastee Tape," the "food-grade fibrous scaffold" took months to design. The students said they are considering patenting the invention so the formula will remain a secret formula.

"What I can say is that all its ingredients are safe to consume, are food-grade and are common food and dietary additives," Guarino said.

The tape activates when it is wet and stays put during cooking. Burritos may have inspired Tastee Tape, but the tape can be used on any food that needs securing, the student said.

To read more about the other projects, visit Hopkins' website.