How many times have you bought too many vegetables, made too much spaghetti or bought milk in bulk because it seemed like a good idea but you knew you probably wouldn’t finish it before the best before date? You are not alone, we all make these mistakes.
Buying food that is safe to eat and also storing it correctly is not only better for your health, it is better for your pocket too!
Best before and use by dates
The “best before” date refers to the quality of the food, so using it after that specific date doesn’t mean that you’re eating something that has expired. The “use by” date, however, does mean that the food should not be eaten after that date for health safety reasons. So, rather use foods before this date.
Buying and storing meat and fish
When buying meat or fish, it is best to choose the amount you require and that you know you will cook and eat. Meats should not have a blue or grey colour and should not have a strong odour, so make a habit of smelling the raw meet before cooking it. If you do buy in bulk, then be sure to freeze the raw meat in the freezer until needed, wrapped in its original packaging and another layer of foil or plastic that is suitable for freezing.
If you know that you will only require small portions every now and then, it would be best to freeze the meat in those portion sizes because it is not safe to defrost and then re-freeze meat under any circumstances.
If you have bought frozen fish from the supermarket, try to get it into your freezer as soon as possible after shopping and always cook it from frozen.
Buying and storing dairy
Always look at the “sell by” and “use by” dates. Along with frozen foods, dairy items should be one of the last items you take off the supermarket shelf. Be sure to place it in the fridge as soon as you can and always make sure that the lids of the containers are properly sealed. If you see your plain yoghurt is coming to its “use by” date but you still have a lot left over, use it as a healthier alternative to cream by making a sauce for your dinner. Just add and mix in some pesto, chutney or sweet chilli sauce.
Buying and storing fruits and vegetables
Where relevant, try to choose fruit and vegetables that look bright and that have an unblemished skin or peel. Bananas ripen very quickly in warm temperatures, so buy them with a slight green tinge and keep them together – if you separate them straight away, they ripen even faster.
Be sure to rinse vegetables before using them, especially tomatoes, spinach and items such as spring onions or leeks.
What can you do if you have bought too many? Remember that you can use fruits and vegetables in salads too. Vegetables can also be steamed or roasted in larger quantities and then stored in a sealed container in the fridge to be used the next day.
Buying and storing tinned goods, dry legumes, herbs and spices
These items can be safely stored in a pantry or cupboard until their “use by” dates. If you buy lentils or beans in packets, pour them into airtight containers once opened to ensure that they remain fresh. Always check that herb and spice containers are properly closed and not stored where they will be exposed to high temperatures or moisture.
Sources
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/home
http://www.foodsafety.gov