Which of the following describes perishables?

Perishables are defined as foods that are subject to rapid spoilage. This category includes items like fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meats, which have a limited timeframe for use before they deteriorate. These food items require careful handling, proper storage, and timely consumption to minimize waste due to spoilage. The understanding of perishables is crucial in the context of food service to ensure that meal preparation meets health standards and minimizes food waste. The other choices do not accurately represent perishables: items with a long shelf life and those preserved indefinitely do not spoil quickly, and non-food items that spoil are outside the definition of perishables as they typically pertain to food.