

The food replicators converted energy directly into food the same way transporters convert a person from matter into energy and then back again. What he was describing was a completely different type of process likely mechanical and chemical in nature.
Note he did not say one of the things they turned waste into was food.
Edit: IIRC they actually had an episode of Enterprise in which they encountered an alien race that had food replicators and were fascinated by the technology.









For me it would depend on what kind of Star Trek shirt it was. If it’s just a shirt that says Star Trek then not really. But if they’re wearing a fucking Starfleet uniform I will trust them with my goddamn life.