How to make sure you are storing your food right and create less waste
Do you always find yourself throwing out the remains of a bag of salad?
Or struggling to eat a full loaf of bread before it goes stale?
Whilst you may think that tossing out the odd food item here and there might not add up to much, it turns out that almost a 1/3 of the average Brits food shop ends up in the bin.
With the average household food shop costing £24, that’s £70 worth of food going to waste every month – or £840 a year!
Aside from buying less, one of the main ways you can avoid food waste is by knowing how to properly store your food.
So, to help, Tap Warehouse have created a handy guide, titled ‘Are You Storing Your Food Right?’:
Food (Storage) for Thought: 8 Tips and Tricks
- You should never defrost your meat by leaving it at room temperature; it actually causes more bacteria to grow.
- Whilst 66% of Brits check whether meat is edible by smelling it, it turns out that the bacteria that causes food poisoning does not have a smell.
- Despite being a debate in most British households, ketchup lasts just as long in the fridge or cupboard.
- You should never put bread, cakes or doughnuts in the fridge – this makes them go stale quicker
- Potatoes shouldn’t be stored in the fridge as the sugars turn into a carcinogen (a substance that can cause cancer).
- You can eat fruit and vegetables beyond the date on the packaging. They are just a ‘best-before’ recommendation which focuses on quality, not safety.
- Storing your eggs in the fridge door causes constant temperature changes, which makes them rot quicker.
- Butter shouldn’t be left at room temperature, as the fatty content means it will only last 1-2 days.
Handy Guides to Storing Your Food Right
Take a look at the handy food storage guides, which delve into how long you can store various food options in the fridge, freezer and cupboard you can find all you need know here:
