Suggest any three ways you can think of to avoid the wastage of food
To avoid food waste: 1. Check your use-by dates Know what’s in your fridge, freezer and cupboards. Make sure you follow storage instructions and keep an eye on use-by dates.
The ‘Use By’ date indicates how long your food should keep safely if the storage instructions are followed. You should not buy or consume food when the ‘Use By’ date has expired and it is illegal to sell food with an expired ‘Use By’ date. However, check to see if the food can be frozen before it’s ‘Use By’ date if you need to eat it at a later date.
The ‘Best Before’ date is different, it indicates when the quality of the product may begin to change. It is not a safety issue. Food can be sold beyond its ‘Best Before’ date provided it is still fit for consumption. One exception is eggs – never eat eggs after the ‘best before’ date.
2. Manage your portions Plenty of food is thrown out because too much is cooked. Are you getting your portions right? Look online for advice on portions or experiment with portions and keep a note of what amount is best to use. If you cook too much don’t throw it out. It can be used to make delicious left-over meals.
3. Plan meals and make shopping lists Planning your meals is one of the most effective ways you can cut wastage and food bills. Start by checking your fridge, freezer and store cupboard to see what you need to use. Decide what meals you will prepare and make a shopping list of what you don’t have. Only buy enough for the meals you have planned.
4. Look at storage options Always follow the storage instructions on food labels. Fresh food will last longer in the fridge and even longer in the freezer. If you have food that is still good but you aren’t likely to use it before its ‘Use By’ or ‘Best Before’ date you could freeze it until you want to use it.
Know what’s in your fridge, freezer and cupboards. Make sure you follow storage instructions and keep an eye on use-by dates.
The ‘Use By’ date indicates how long your food should keep safely if the storage instructions are followed. You should not buy or consume food when the ‘Use By’ date has expired and it is illegal to sell food with an expired ‘Use By’ date. However, check to see if the food can be frozen before it’s ‘Use By’ date if you need to eat it at a later date.
The ‘Best Before’ date is different, it indicates when the quality of the product may begin to change. It is not a safety issue. Food can be sold beyond its ‘Best Before’ date provided it is still fit for consumption. One exception is eggs – never eat eggs after the ‘best before’ date.
2. Manage your portionsPlenty of food is thrown out because too much is cooked. Are you getting your portions right? Look online for advice on portions or experiment with portions and keep a note of what amount is best to use. If you cook too much don’t throw it out. It can be used to make delicious left-over meals.
3. Plan meals and make shopping listsPlanning your meals is one of the most effective ways you can cut wastage and food bills. Start by checking your fridge, freezer and store cupboard to see what you need to use. Decide what meals you will prepare and make a shopping list of what you don’t have. Only buy enough for the meals you have planned.
4. Look at storage optionsAlways follow the storage instructions on food labels. Fresh food will last longer in the fridge and even longer in the freezer. If you have food that is still good but you aren’t likely to use it before its ‘Use By’ or ‘Best Before’ date you could freeze it until you want to use it.
