Food enchanted by spells (SN 7.8)

The Aggikasutta (SN 7.8) below states that the Buddhas do not eat food enchanted by spells i.e. food that was chanted over for the Vedic fire sacrifice. **Does the Buddha reject ritually chanted over food? Why is this the case? Does this apply to Buddhists as well?** What is the meaning of "The Buddhas reject things enchanted with spells. Since nature is real, brahmin, that’s how they live"? I asked another similar question before here . That sutta seems to be about offering food after receiving a teaching as not being allowed, because that's remuneration. However, this question is different because the Buddha did not give any teaching before being offered the milk rice. Instead, the milk rice seems to have been chanted over, in the fire sacrifice ritual. Furthermore, the Buddha asks the brahmin to serve some other food, not the one chanted over with verses. > At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, > the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time ghee and milk-rice had > been set out for the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshipper, who > thought: “I will serve the sacred flame! I will perform the fire > sacrifice!” > > Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, > entered Rājagaha for alms. Wandering for alms to be consumed on site > in Rājagaha, he approached Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s house and > stood to one side. Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshipper saw him standing for > alms and addressed him in verse: > > > “One who’s accomplished in the three knowledges, of good lineage and > > ample learning, accomplished in knowledge and conduct may enjoy this > > milk-rice.” > > > “Even one who mutters many invocations is no brahmin by birth if > > they’re filthy and corrupt within, with a following gained by fraud. > > > But one who knows their past lives, and sees heaven and places of > > loss, and has attained the ending of rebirth, that sage has perfect > > insight. > > > Because of these three knowledges a brahmin is a master of the three > > knowledges. Accomplished in knowledge and conduct, they may enjoy this > > milk-rice.” > > “Eat, Master Gotama! you are truly a brahmin.” > > > **“Food enchanted by a spell isn’t fit for me to eat. That’s not the way > > of those who see, brahmin. The Buddhas reject things enchanted with > > spells. Since nature is real, brahmin, that’s how they live.** > > > Serve with other food and drink the consummate one, the great seer, > > with defilements ended and remorse stilled. For he is the field for > > the seeker of merit.” > > When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshipper said to > the Buddha: “Excellent, Master Gotama! …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja > the Fire-Worshipper became one of the perfected. With the Pali version: > “Food enchanted by a spell isn’t fit for me to eat. > *“Gāthābhigītaṃ me abhojaneyyaṃ* > > That’s not the way of those who see, brahmin. > *Sampassataṃ brāhmaṇa nesa dhammo* > > The Buddhas reject things enchanted with spells. > *Gāthābhigītaṃ panudanti buddhā* > > Since nature is real, brahmin, that’s how they live. > *Dhamme sati brāhmaṇa vuttiresā* > > Serve with other food and drink > *Aññena ca kevalinaṃ mahesiṃ*