Processed food is defined as:

Processed food is defined as:

• A. Any Food That Has Been Altered From Its State at Harvest, Including Washing, Cutting, and Cooking
• B. Only Foods That Are Canned
• C. Only Foods That Are Frozen
• D. Foods That Have Been Irradiated

Answer: (A)

Processing means any change to a food from its state at harvest. Even simple steps like washing, cutting, or cooking alter the food in ways that affect texture, taste, safety, or how long it lasts. Because the idea is broad—any alteration after harvest—this definition fits best. The other examples point to specific processing methods (canning, freezing, irradiation) rather than the broad concept of alteration after harvest, so they don’t capture the full idea of what counts as processed.

Processing means any change to a food from its state at harvest. Even simple steps like washing, cutting, or cooking alter the food in ways that affect texture, taste, safety, or how long it lasts. Because the idea is broad—any alteration after harvest—this definition fits best. The other examples point to specific processing methods (canning, freezing, irradiation) rather than the broad concept of alteration after harvest, so they don’t capture the full idea of what counts as processed.