ABSTRACT
A majority of the consumer households are using microwave ovens and microwaveable foods. The microwave oven is now widely used for reconstitution of prepared foods in the food service sector. The number of prepared foods marketed for simple reconstitution in the kitchen using a microwave oven has steadily increased to include (1) refrigerated foods such as: gravies and sauces, sausage, poultry products, baked goods; (2) frozen foods: breakfast entrees, pizza, sandwiches, dinners entrees, potato products, pot pies, vegetables; (3) shelf-stable products: popcorn, soups, entrees, soups, noodles, dessert mixes, hot cereals; and (4) specialty products: caramels, dehydrated powders, baby foods, batters, and breading products.
