‘‘Ready meals were traditionally sold as premium priced products. But recent
market expansion has seen the use of heat-sealed trays in the packaging of a
wide range of conventional ready meals as well as pre-prepared vegetables,
meal accompaniments and airline meals. Some producers are even catering
for the youngest consumers with gourmet baby food in chilled ready meal
formats.
“So ready meals are no longer the luxury item they once were, they are now
part of everyday shopping for millions of consumers. As a result the range
has increased markedly and even includes ‘self-assembly’ ready to cook
meals where the consumer is left to put together the component parts.’’