Which of the following is an example of a ready-to-eat food?

Ready-to-eat foods are those that do not require any further cooking or preparation before consumption. They can be consumed as they are, without fear of causing foodborne illness due to inadequate cooking. Cooked pasta or salad fits this definition perfectly, as both items are fully prepared and safe to eat without any additional cooking.

Raw vegetables, while often eaten without cooking, may not always be considered ready-to-eat if they require washing or peeling. Uncooked meat is never classified as ready-to-eat because it must always be cooked to a safe internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Canned goods might not be ready-to-eat in all cases, as some products require heating or mixing before consumption. Therefore, cooked pasta or salad is the best example of a ready-to-eat food.