Convenience food
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Convenience food, or tertiary processed food, is commercially prepared food designed for ease of consumption.[1] Products designated as convenience foods are often preprepared food stuffs that can be sold as hot, ready-to-eat dishes; as room temperature, shelf-stable products; or as refrigerated or frozen products that require minimal preparation, typically just heating.[2]
These products often are sold in portion controlled, single serve packaging designed for portability for "on-the-go" or later eating. Convenience food can include products such as candy; beverages such as soft drinks, juices and milk; fast food; nuts, fruits and vegetables in fresh or preserved states; processed meats and cheeses; and canned products such as soups and pasta dishes.
Critics have derided the increasing trend of convenience foods because of numerous issues. Several groups have cited the environmental harm of single serve packaging due to the increased usage of plastics that contributes to solid waste in landfills.[3][4] Health organizations have spoken out about the high levels of salts, fats and preservatives in these products which critics claim are a contributing factor of the obesity epidemic in western nations.[5]
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[edit] History
Modern convenience food saw their beginnings in the period that began after World War II in the United States. Many of these products had their origins in military developed foods designed for storage longevity and ease of preparation in the battle field. After the war, many commercial food companies were left with surplus manufacturing facilities. These companies developed new lines of canned and freeze dried foods that were designed for use in the home. Like many product introductions, not all were successful; products that are convenience food staples such as fish sticks and canned peaches were counterbalanced by failures such as ham sticks and cheeseburgers-in-a-can.[6]
[edit] Criticisms
[edit] References
- ^ Jean Anderson; Barbara Deskins (October 1995) (in EN). The Nutrition Bible (1st ed.). William Morrow & Co. ISBN 0688116191.
- ^ "Convenience Foods" (in en). Swiss Association for Nutrition. Health and Age Center. 2003-05-08. http://www.healthandage.com/Home/gid2=2434. Retrieved on 2009-05-18.
- ^ "Talking about waste prevention". Waste Watch UK. http://www.wastewatch.org.uk/page/4819/About-Us/Our-views/Talking-about-waste-prevention. Retrieved on 2009-07-14.
- ^ "Food packaging waste a concern". Reuters. 2008-02-14. http://www.scientistlive.com/European-Food-Scientist/Packaging/Food_packaging_waste_a_concern/19764/. Retrieved on 2009-07-14. "Wasteful food packaging is among the fastest-growing environmental concerns for shoppers worldwide with New Zealanders most willing to cut back, a poll showed on Thursday."
- ^ Melissa Stevens, MS, RD, LD. "Convenience Foods: A quick and healthy guide for those on the go" (in En). Cleveland Clinic. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/nutrition/conveniencefoods.aspx. Retrieved on 2009-05-18.
- ^ Shapiro, Laura (March 29, 2005). Something from the Oven: Reinventing Dinner in 1950s America. New York: Penguin. ISBN 014303491X.
