Which of the following is NOT an example of a ready-to-eat food?

Ready-to-eat foods are items that can be consumed without further preparation or cooking. This includes foods that are fully cooked, processed, or prepared to the point that they are safe to eat without any additional handling.

Cooked food, baked goods, and raw fruits and vegetables all fit within the category of ready-to-eat foods. Cooked food is safe to eat immediately after preparation, baked goods like bread or pastries can be eaten as they are, and raw fruits and vegetables typically require no cooking and can be consumed directly.

On the other hand, raw poultry does not fall under the category of ready-to-eat foods. It must be properly cooked to a safe internal temperature to eliminate harmful bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter, which can cause foodborne illnesses. As such, raw poultry requires further preparation before it is safe for consumption, making it the correct answer as the item that is NOT a ready-to-eat food.