Processed Food

What is Processed Food?

Processed food is the food which has been altered by using any cooking technique. In other words, we can say that the food that has been altered or changed from its natural state is called processed food. The processing can be done to prevent the food from spoilage and to enhance its taste and quality. 

This alteration can include physical, chemical or biological changes in the food, which may involve techniques like canning, freezing, fermentation, pasteurization and adding Preservatives, flavors and colors.

Types of Processed Food: -

1. Minimally Processed Food: -

• Minimal Processed food is very similar to fresh food, but the only difference is that the state of the food is changed in minimal processes food like we can say that only slightly changes can be done with the fresh food which makes them minimally processed food. In this the food can be undergone in the basic process of cutting, freezing or packaging. This minimal alteration can be done to the fresh food to extend the shelf life of fresh food or to make the food more convenient for consumption.

    

• Example: - Pre-Cut Fruits and Vegetables, Pasteurized Milk, Frozen Peas and Berries, Roasted Nuts.

2. Processed Culinary Ingredients: -

• Processed Culinary Ingredients are those ingredients that are derived or made from the whole food item or from any particular fresh food. These are the foods that have been processed to enhance their flavor, but not for immediate consumption. They include oils, sugar, salt, and flour that are used in cooking and food preparations.

  

• Example: - Salt, Sugar, Oil and Flour.

• Processed Food can be made from the combination of minimal processed food or Processed Culinary Ingredients. The Processed Food can be processed more than minimal processed food. These Processed Food often contain added ingredients like salt, sugar or preservatives to the shelf life or taste of the processed food.

  

• Example: - Canned Beans and Vegetables, Cheese, Bread, Packaged Tofu.

4. Ultra-Processed Food: -

• As it clear from their name that Ultra-Processed Food is the updated version of processed food. In process food, the food is slightly cooked or altered but no artificial color, flavor, and Preservatives should be added in Processed food, whereas in Ultra-Processed food the food is fully cooked, Processed and altered with artificial color, flavor, and various additive and Preservatives should be added in Ultra-Processed food. They are often high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and sodium, making them less nutritious.

    

• Example: - Instant noodles, Soft Drinks, Packaged Snacks, Processed Meats.

Benefits of Processed Food: -

1. Longer Shelf Life

• The shelf life of processed food is longer than fresh food. Fresh food gets spoiled soon whereas processed food last long then fresh food.  Some processed food like canned, frozen and dried food are available for the whole year.  

2. Convenience & Accessibility 

• If we talked about processed food, then there is lot of ready to eat and frozen food type options are available for us which not only easy to cook but also save our time because to make them is very easy. It is the best option for the people with busy lifestyle to get nutritious and testiest food in a very quick time.

3. Enhanced Taste & Texture

• Fresh food has its own natural taste, but processed food enhances not only the taste but enhancing the color, flavor and texture also. We can alter the taste, color, flavor and texture of the food according to our requirement and our taste buds.

4. Safety & Hygiene 

• The processing of any particular food item kills all the harmful bacteria that are present in fresh food. By processing the food item that kills all the harmful bacteria of the food makes our food item more safe and more hygienic to eat.

5. Fortified Nutrition 

• Processing of food not only kills harmful bacteria of the food but also increases its essential nutrients. Some processed foods are already enriched with essential nutrients like fortified cereals with iron or vitamin D in the milk.