Processed foods include foods that have been altered from their natural condition for safety reasons as well as for convenience. Sometimes we think that processed foods are bad, but it is just a big mistake among the general public and processed foods are just as good as any other food product. Let’s take an example of milk. It should be called processed food since it is pasteurized and homogenized. Some prefer to use raw milk and others, in fact, most of us prefer its processed form which is available in our grocery and convenience stores.

Another very strong point to show that processed foods are not bad are frozen vegetables. Many of us believe that fresh vegetables are the best, but let me inform you that freezing these vegetables preserves vitamins and minerals, which means that they are more nutritious than fresh ones. Fruit and vegetable juices are also very healthy processed foods, as they are all packed with extra calcium that makes them even more nutritious. The methods used to process food include canning, freezing, refrigeration, dehydration, and aseptic processes. Let’s take a look at canning.

Canning is a very efficient method of preserving or processing food. This process is done by first packaging processed foods in airtight jars, bottles, and bags and then heating them to a temperature that has the power to kill harmful and infectious microorganisms. Due to the problems that clostridium botulinum and some other pathogens present, it is always said that the safest method of packaging any food is in conditions of very high heat and pressure. Typically, when canning any processed food, the temperature is about 240 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The most famous canned food products include vegetables, meats, seafood, poultry, and some dairy products. The only foods that can be canned without using high pressure and temperature are foods that are high in acid, for example pickles and some vegetables to which acids can be added.

The history of processed food canning dates back to 1809, when a French pastry chef used the first glass vacuum jar. After a while, the glass jars were replaced by wrought iron cans and jars. [short name cans]. These cans gained instant popularity as they were cheaper, faster to make, and much more flexible and durable than those breakable glass jars. The airtight nature of these cans and tins plays a vital role in keeping them free of bacteria and the foods packed inside. The double look technique is used and cans containing double look are popularly called sanitary cans.

Processed foods or so-called prepackaged food products are very convenient and are even more popular with people today. If you buy too many processed foods, be sure to always select products that are lower in sodium, no trans fat, more servings of whole grains, and most importantly, fewer calories. Always watch the portion size as well, and prefer to eat this processed food with freshly made salads, some whole wheat bread, and plenty of water.