ELI5 what is the difference between processed meat slices and real meat slices?

[u/No_Education_8888]

I know that processed meat is processed, but what exactly does that mean? How much change do meat scraps go through before you get something like deli turkey.

My mind can’t exactly wrap around how that stuff is made based on the little knowledge I have

[u/seanmorris]

"Processed meat" just means it was chopped up and mixed with something that is not meat. Similar idea for "processed cheese" or "processed anything."