Food product that is 1) ready or nearly ready for consumption; 2) usually a composite of several foods or ingredients that often belong to distinct product types; 3) usually formulated, mixed and partially or fully cooked. Prepared foods often undergo several of the processes listed in *F. EXTENT OF HEAT TREATMENT* and *H. TREATMENT APPLIED*; these factors should be carefully considered in indexing. The classification of prepared food products emphasizes consumption characteristics. [FDA CFSAN 1995]