Many consumers tend to discard expired food immediately if the best before date is exceeded . Every year 82 kilos of food per person (!) End up in the garbage – usually completely unnecessary, because many things are still edible. But how do you know if expired food is still fresh.
Natural yoghurt is often good for weeks!
Expired foods often have a longer life than we think. With the best before date (expiry date), the manufacturer guarantees the optimal quality from this point of view, so you know if expired food is still fresh sometimes. It is highly unlikely that a product will go bad right after it expires. Natural yoghurt, for example, can be absolutely flawless even four weeks after its expiration.
Dry stored also keeps longer
Coffee, pasta, rice and flour can be used easily even eight weeks after expiration. In cool and dry storage, the taste is not affected. Attention, moths or weevils are in the expired flour. If eggs have expired, they can be used for about a week for baking and cooking.
Caution is required on the expiration date
The situation looks different with the consumption date, with which packaged meat is provided. Here, the product should actually at least be prepared by the appropriate time. Tip from food experts: Consumers should rely on their senses. Smell the expired food, look closely at the product – if something is really not good anymore, you notice it quickly, and know if expired food is still fresh — or not, in this case.
Storage is crucial
Each refrigerator is divided into different cooling zones (ideally between two and eight degrees). Vegetables and fruits come in the designated drawer. Does your refrigerator have a BioFreshZone? All the better. At the lowest level, the coldest, meat and sausages find the perfect place. Dairy products are in the middle, while butter, jams – bread in summer – feel right at the top. The compartments in the doors are ideal for juices, sauces and milk. Important: If possible, do not interrupt the cold chain, take with you an insulated bag (in summer also cold packs).
And when it’s already open?
Eat leftovers either in fresh food containers or place well covered with foil in the fridge. Close products such as muesli, flour and semolina well after opening or transfer to storage container. Always remove spreads with a clean knife or spoon to prevent mold from forming.
