Is this product Ready to Eat?
When the packaging states 'Fully Baked' and provides 'Heating Instructions', will this product be considered 'Ready to Eat'?
Thank you.
Piki
When the packaging states 'Fully Baked' and provides 'Heating Instructions', will this product be considered 'Ready to Eat'?
Thank you.
Piki
Hi pghosh,
From memory of previous US threads here, this is a legal question with terminological implications.
In respect to the "Process", Is the product actually ready-to-eat or not ?
Hi Piki,
You can find the FDA definition of RTE in CFR 117 at: https://www.accessda...ch.cfm?fr=117.3
Which states:
Ready-to-eat food (RTE food) means any food that is normally eaten in its raw state or any other food, including a processed food, for which it is reasonably foreseeable that the food will be eaten without further processing that would significantly minimize biological hazards.
Is it possible that your customer could eat this without reheating? Yes. I would also say that by saying something is 'Fully baked' on the package would imply to the average consumer that it has indeed been cooked and is therefore ready to eat!
Ben
Hi Piki,
You can find the FDA definition of RTE in CFR 117 at: https://www.accessda...ch.cfm?fr=117.3
Which states:
Ready-to-eat food (RTE food) means any food that is normally eaten in its raw state or any other food, including a processed food, for which it is reasonably foreseeable that the food will be eaten without further processing that would significantly minimize biological hazards.
Is it possible that your customer could eat this without reheating? Yes. I would also say that by saying something is 'Fully baked' on the package would imply to the average consumer that it has indeed been cooked and is therefore ready to eat!
Ben
That was a very helpful explanation, thanks Ben.
Hi pghosh,
Unfortunately, based on previous threads here, there apparently exists a tendency to label genuine RTE foods such that they may be categorized as NRTE with legalistic implications.
Hence my query which so far unanswered.