How to Safely Handle Ready-to-Eat Foods at Home: Protecting Yourself from Hidden Foodborne Risks

The Hidden Danger in “Ready-to-Eat” Convenience

Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods are a modern staple of busy households. From prewashed salads and deli meats to prepared pasta meals and rotisserie chicken, these items are designed to be consumed straight from the package, no cooking required. While they save time, they also come with hidden risks.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), foodborne illnesses cause an estimated 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths each year in the United States. A growing number of outbreaks in recent years have been linked to ready-to-eat foods, products many consumers assume are completely safe.

Because the

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