Which of the following is an example of comminuted food?

Comminuted food refers to any food that has been mechanically processed or broken down into smaller pieces, typically through grinding or fine chopping. Ground beef is a prime example of this, as it involves whole cuts of meat that have been ground down to create a more uniform texture. This process not only affects the physical characteristics of the meat but also has implications for food safety, as the grinding process can distribute bacteria that would otherwise be limited to the surface of the meat throughout the entire product.

When considering the other examples, whole chicken remains intact without any modification to its structure, while canned vegetables and fresh fruit are typically not ground or processed to the extent that they would be classified as comminuted. Canned vegetables may undergo cooking and canning but do not involve the grinding process akin to what is seen with ground beef. Fresh fruit, similarly, is usually consumed as whole pieces and isn't altered in a way that would classify it as comminuted food. Thus, the definition of comminuted food aligns perfectly with ground beef.