Did you know that we often waste more food than we think? An average of 33 kilos per person per year for all Dutch people combined, that's 23 million meals per week. So there's still a lot to be gained. So participate in the Waste-Free Week from September 8th to 14th. For example, by cooking what needs to be used first. And by knowing how to handle expiration dates.
Do you ever wonder if something is still good to eat? You're not alone. A lot of food gets thrown away because we don't know the expiration date.
Taking the date too literally. While there are often more options than you think. Knowing the difference between best-before and best-before date will help you make the right choice more quickly. This prevents waste and keeps your food safe.
Best before date – Best before date
Products with a best-before date can often still be eaten after the expiration date. Think of cookies, pasta, rice, dairy, or cheese. The flavor or texture may diminish slightly, but it's usually still fine. Look, smell, and taste. Does it look good? Then you can often still eat it.
TGT – Best before date
This is indicated on perishable products such as meat, fish, and pre-cut vegetables. These products are no longer safe to eat after the expiration date. They can make you sick. So use these products in time or freeze them before the expiration date.
5 tips for smart shelf life management
- Pay close attention to the type of expiration date. Best-before date indicates quality. Best-before date is about safety.
- Use your senses. Best-before date: if it smells good, looks good, and tastes normal, you can usually still eat it.
- Freeze expired products in advance. Want to keep them longer? Do so before the expiration date.
- Be careful after opening. An opened product spoils faster. So, don't just check the expiration date, but also how long it's been open.
- Use the Storage guide from the Nutrition Centre. This shows you exactly how long you can keep something. Handy for the kitchen!
Waste less together
A lot of food is unnecessarily thrown away because people don't understand expiration dates. By paying closer attention and using smarter storage, we can make a difference together. This way, we ensure less waste and fewer resources are wasted. Good for your wallet and good for the environment.