A lot of food ends up in the trash even though it is still edible. The best-before date and a lack of knowledge are not to blame for this.
What does the best before date mean?
Until the best before date (best before date) is reached, a product should normally be in top condition – that is, it should retain its full taste or not become mushy. Of course, this requires proper storage and intact packaging. Above all, long-lasting foods such as rice, pasta or tea can still remain edible well beyond the best-before date without hesitation.
When is it better to throw away food?
When the use-by date has been reached – customers can recognize it by the “To be used by” label.
Which goods do you need to be particularly careful with?
Fresh poultry or minced meat should not be used after the use-by date. If you discover significant changes in color, consistency, smell or taste, it is better to dispose of the products.
Is Food Waste a Big Problem?
An estimated 89 million tons of food are wasted in Europe every year, according to a paper by the Dutch and Swedish governments. The EU Commission is even talking about 100 million tons – this corresponds to a third of food for human consumption. Not all food waste ends up in the private garbage can – some products do not even reach the consumer because they are damaged during transport or because leftovers are left on the buffet at events.
Find out which mistakes you make to contribute to food waste and how you can avoid them in the following photo gallery.