Which statement best describes ready-to-eat foods?

Ready-to-eat foods are those that can be consumed without any further preparation or cooking. This means they are safe to eat as they are and do not require any additional steps to ensure they are safe for consumption.

Such foods include items like pre-packaged salads, cooked meats, baked goods, and certain fruits and vegetables that have been washed and prepared for immediate consumption. These foods are convenient and intended to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses since they are generally lower in microbial load and do not need additional cooking steps to be safe.

In contrast, the other statements refer to foods that require additional handling or cooking to ensure safety, which is not applicable to ready-to-eat foods.