Soup in the toilet, lukewarm coffee in the sink, or bruised tomatoes in the garbage: we all throw food away from time to time. Every year thousands of kilos of edible food end up in the waste mountain. With these five tips, you can reduce the mountain of waste.
A Fleming throws an average of 29 kilos of food in the garbage every year. This puts us at the top of Europe. But with these five practical tips, you can tackle the waste.
1. Use by Versus Best Before
So there are two types of expiration dates. Unfortunately, they are often used interchangeably, and the difference is often misunderstood.
On the one hand, there are products with a use-by date, better known as ‘use by’ (use by). This usually concerns more sensitive products that spoil quickly (delicate meats, fish, etc.). It is best not to consume these foods once the date has passed. On the other hand, especially if you have a weaker immune system (the elderly, pregnant women, very young children, …), you should pay attention.
On the other hand, products with a date refer to minimum durability or the so-called ‘best before’ (best before). This statement is generally intended for dry products (flour, biscuits, etc.) or canned food. A best before date on the packaging means that you can still safely consume the product after this date. However, do check that your product does not smell suspicious or look strange.
2. Shop With Reusable Packaging
Only buy what you need and find the right size of packaging. You can also buy your products in bulk and bring your packaging to the store. As a result, you only buy the amount you need. And you have less packaging waste!
3. New Life for Wilted Fruits and Vegetables
Food doesn’t always have to look perfect to be tasty. So that withered apple or that dried-out carrot can still be eaten in various recipes such as compote, soup, or puree.
Cut the rotten pieces off your fruits and vegetables. You can often still use the rest.
4. Well-ordered Fridge
A well-ordered – and clean – refrigerator provides a clear overview of the contents. It is also wise to put the products that expire the fastest at the front so that you can see them immediately. In addition, this also allows better preservation of the food.
5. Donate Food
Donating food is a great initiative. That’s always a good solution when you have one or two servings left of the meal you’ve made. When you give your prepared meals to someone, don’t forget to put a label on it with the following information:
- The preparation date
- The allergens present
- The ingredients used
When it comes to frozen meals, thaw them in the fridge, never on the counter! And don’t forget to mention on the label that it is a thawed product that must not be refrozen.
More tips can be found on our website.
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