Crossword Genius

Off-putting food? (3,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

red herring

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'food?' is the definition.
(red herring is a kind of food)

'off-putting' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'off' could be 'erring' (erring can mean inaccurate or off) and 'erring' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for red herring that I've seen before include "It may well put you off" , "Irrelevant topic" , "False lead" , "bait, of a certain sort" , "Misleading clue" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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