Spoiler alert: Americans toss away between 30 percent and 40 percent of the food we purchase, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Whether it's because the expiration date has passed or you lost track of a container in the fridge, all that waste is hurting the environment — and our bottom lines. Food prices are up 11.2 percent year-over-year, helping drive inflation to anear 40-year high.
The good news is there are ways to extend the life of your food, reduce waste and save money. Here are seven ways to do it.
1. Be more lenient about expiration dates.
Putting “Best Used By” dates on meat, poultry and other food is not an exact science. It's designed to inform consumers and retailers about how long they can expect the food to maintain its quality and flavor. That doesn’t mean you have to throw something out when it reaches that date.
Instead,use your sensesto determine if it's still OK to eat. If a product has changed color or texture or smells strange, those are signs you should toss it. If none of the above applies, it's probably safe to eat.
Hot tip:If it's poultry, use or freeze it in one or two days after buying it, recommends Meredith Carothers of the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Beef, pork and veal can stay in the fridge for four to five days after purchase. You can freeze poultry and beef for up to a year, according to the USDA.
2. Store at the right temperature.
Nothing can spoil food quicker thanstoring it improperly, so the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer matters — a lot. The USDA says your refrigerator should be set at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and your freezer should be at 0 degrees. If the temperature is too warm, foodborne bacteria will multiply.
Refrigerators are notorious for not showing the correct temperature, according to the USDA. A freestanding, low-cost appliance thermometer will help you get the right reading. Pop one in the fridge and one in the freezer and check them regularly.
Hot tip:The colder the temperature of the fridge, the longer your food will go without spoiling. Carothers says to set it in the range of 36 to 38 degrees to extend the freshness of your food a little longer.
FAQs
To keep opened food fresh, store it in plastic bags and plastic or glass containers that are reusable and airtight. That will prevent air moisture from getting in and contaminating food or speeding up the decaying process.
How to keep food fresh for the longest? ›
To keep opened food fresh, store it in plastic bags and plastic or glass containers that are reusable and airtight. That will prevent air moisture from getting in and contaminating food or speeding up the decaying process.
What is the best way to keep food fresh? ›
Most refrigerated produce stays fresh longer when sealed, whether in zip-top plastic bags, reusable silicone pouches, or containers with tight-fitting lids. These containers hold in moisture, preventing produce from dehydrating, and they help protect sensitive produce from the effects of ethylene gas.
Which method keeps food fresh the longest? ›
Both freezing and deep-freezing are the most effective methods of preservation and the techniques that change the organioleptic and nutritional properties of the product the least. Likewise, both allow the food to be preserved for long periods of time, up to several years in some circ*mstances.
What food will last the longest? ›
Foods That Have The Longest Shelf Life
- Fruits, Veggies and Tubers. Not all organics will wither in a vegetable drawer if left uneaten. ...
- Nuts. Cooked peanuts, walnuts and almonds don't have to be gobbled up within days of purchase. ...
- Jerky. ...
- Canned Foods. ...
- Powdered Foods. ...
- Dried Pasta. ...
- Oils. ...
- Baking Ingredients.
There are different types of artificial preservatives. Antimicrobials include nitrates and nitrites, along with sulfur dioxide. Antioxidants include BHT, BHA, and propyl gallate. Antioxidants slow the breakdown of fats and oils that make meat rancid and smelly.
How to make food stay fresh longer? ›
Take a look at the tips below for some easy ways to make food last longer.
- Check your refrigerator settings. ...
- Set up “zones” in your refrigerator and freezer. ...
- Use labels. ...
- Choose the fresh foods that last longest. ...
- Follow the two-hour (or one-hour) rule. ...
- Use canned vegetables, fruits and beans. ...
- Buy frozen vegetables and fruits.
Feed Storage Best Practices
Keep feed in a dry, covered area to help prevent exposure to moisture, sunlight, and heat. Use insect screens, rodent-proof barriers, and regular pest control methods to help prevent pest infestations. Keep feed containers off the ground to help prevent access by ground-dwelling pests.
How to increase food shelf life? ›
Manufacturing the food items in a temperature-controlled environment is the most commonly used technique to increase the shelf life of an edible product. If at any stage during manufacturing the food product faces a temperature abuse, the shelf life can significantly reduce.
What is the best way to stockpile food? ›
Build up your everyday stock of canned goods until you have a two-week to one-month surplus. Rotate it periodically to maintain a supply of common foods that will not require special preparation, water or cooking. From a sporting or camping equipment store, buy commercially packaged, freeze-dried or air-dried foods.
Vegetables were often salted or pickled. Many fruits were dried or turned in preserves. These foods could then be stored in cool places, like cellars and caves. This allowed people to save food for times of need during droughts and famines.
What food shortens your life the most? ›
These higher risks of death “were mainly driven by meat/poultry/seafood based ready-to-eat products, sugar and artificially sweetened beverages, dairy based desserts, and ultra-processed breakfast foods,” wrote the team led by senior researcher Mingyang Song, an associate professor of epidemiology and nutrition at ...
What food does not expire? ›
Here are seven timeless foods that never expire when stored properly.
- Honey. Honey is often referred to as liquid gold for a reason. ...
- Salt. Salt is a mineral, and as long as it's kept dry, it will never spoil. ...
- White Rice. ...
- Sugar. ...
- Dried Beans. ...
- Pure Maple Syrup. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar.
What 5 Foods Can You Survive On? A balanced diet of survival food will ensure that your body is getting all the protein, carbs, minerals, and vitamins it requires to remain healthy. If you could only select five foods to survive on, potatoes, kale, trail mix, grains, and beans would get you pretty far.
What is the best way to store food long term? ›
Airtight containers are the best for long-term storage. Plastic bags and cardboard boxes won't be suitable. Instead, use glass, Tupperware, or tins. Glass - Is affordable, reusable, recyclable, transparent, and airtight, but can break.
How do you prolong the shelf life of fresh food? ›
The use of efficient techniques such as appropriate packaging, temperature control, humidity management, natural additives, quality control, and clear labeling can help to retain the freshness of the fresh produce, thereby extending its shelf life.
