Prepared foods are foods that are typically produced for immediate consumption. “Preparing” is any act other than washing with water and may include peeling, cutting, dicing, or cooking of a food item. Peeling apples, washing and chopping lettuce, cutting carrots, and making cole slaw from cabbage are all examples of preparation.
Vendors that are preparing, packaging, or serving food must be licensed as a retail food establishment (e.g. chili roasters require a retail food establishment license).
Prepared foods can be defined in three ways:
1. The food is heated (or previously heated) by the seller.
– May include foods such as pizza, popcorn, hot chocolate/coffee, hot dogs, or nachos.
2. Two or more foods items are mixed or combined by the seller or foods that need additional preparation.
– May include foods such as sandwiches, salads, cut fruit or vegetable trays.
3. Food sold with eating utensils.
– If a container or utensils is required to hold the food or the food is prepared food for immediate consumption, such as hot soup.