What is the term used for food that has been altered through various means?

The term "processed food" refers to food that has undergone various methods of alteration, such as cooking, preserving, freezing, or the addition of ingredients or preservatives to enhance flavor, texture, or shelf life. Processing can include anything from basic preparations, like washing or cutting fruits and vegetables, to more complex methods, such as canning and freeze-drying.

This concept encompasses a wide range of food products, from minimally processed items to highly processed foods, which can affect the nutritional content and health aspects of the food. Understanding this term is essential in the context of food science as it highlights how food characteristics can change through different processing techniques, which can impact consumer choices, dietary needs, and food safety practices.

In contrast, raw food refers to food that has not been cooked or altered significantly and is typically consumed in its natural state. Organic food refers to food products grown and processed without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, while fresh food is often used to describe items that are newly harvested or prepared and not processed. Each of these terms addresses different aspects of food but does not specifically imply alteration through processing in the same way that processed food does.