What is Processed Food

As defined by the inter-ministerial stakeholder meeting, processed food pertains to the following two processes:

♤ Manufactured Processes: If any raw product of agriculture, animal husbandry or fisheries is transformed through a process (involving employees, power, machines or money) in such a way that its original physical properties undergo a change and if the transformed product is edible and has commercial value, then it comes within the domain of processed food.

♤ Other Value-Added Processes: If there is significant value addition (increased shelf life, shelled and ready for consumption etc.) such produce also comes under processed food, even if it does not undergo manufacturing processes.