Processed foods include foods that have been altered from their natural condition for safety and also convenience. Sometimes we think that processed foods are bad, but it is just a big mistake among people in general and processed foods are just as good as any other food products. Let us take an example of milk. It should be called a 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 store and self service stores.
Another very strong point to show that processed food is not bad is frozen vegetables. Many of us believe that fresh vegetables are the best, but let me inform you that freezing these vegetables preserves the vitamins and minerals, which means that they are more nutritious than fresh. Fruit and vegetable juices are also very healthy processed foods since they are all endowed with extra calcium that makes them even more nutritious. Methods used to process foods include canning, freezing, refrigeration, dehydration, and aseptic processing. Let’s talk canning.
Canning is a method of preserving or processing food very effectively. 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 posed by Clostridium botulinum and some other pathogens, it is always said that the safest method of canning any food is under conditions of very high heat and pressure. Normally, when canning any processed food, the temperature is about 240 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Popular 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 confectioner used the first glass vacuum flask. After a while, the glass jars were replaced by cans and wrought iron canisters. [short name cans]. These cans instantly gained popularity as they were cheaper, faster to make, and much more flexible and durable than breakable glass jars. The airtight nature of these cans and tins plays a vital role in keeping them free from bacteria and keeping the food packed inside. The double appearance technique is used and cans containing double appearance are popularly called sanitary cans.
Processed foods or so-called pre-packaged food products are very convenient and even more popular with people today. If you buy too many processed foods, be sure to always select products that contain less sodium, no trans fat, more servings of whole grains, and most importantly, fewer calories. Always watch the portion size and prefer to eat this processed food with fresh salads, some whole grain bread and lots of water.
