What is the difference between RTE and processed food?
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a processed food is any raw agricultural commodity that has undergone a change from its natural state, which means virtually all RTE products are a type of processed food. However, not all processed foods are ready-to-eat, and the level of processing involved is the primary distinction between the two categories.