Avoid waste: know the difference between THT and TGT

Did you know that we often waste more food than we think? On average about 33 kilos per person per year for all Dutch together, that's 23 million meals per week. So there is still a lot to be gained. So join in the Wastefree Week from 8 to 14 September. For instance, by cooking what needs to be eaten first. And by knowing how to deal with best-before dates.

Do you sometimes doubt whether something is still good to eat? You are not the only one. A lot of food gets thrown away because we have outlived its shelf-lifedate too literally. While often more is possible than you think. If you know the difference between THT and THT, you can make the right choice faster. So you avoid waste and your food stays safe.

THT - Best before

You can often still eat products with a THT date after the date. Think of biscuits, pasta, rice, dairy or cheese. The taste or texture may deteriorate slightly, but it is usually still fine. Look, smell and taste. Does it look good? Then you can often still eat it.

TGT - Use until

This is written on perishable products, such as meat, fish and pre-cut vegetables. These products are no longer safe to eat after the date. They can make you ill. So use these products in time or freeze them before the date.

5 tips to be smart about shelf life

1. Look carefully at the type of date THT says something about quality. TGT is about safety.
2. Use your senses. With THT: Does it smell good, look good and taste normal? Then you can usually still eat it.
3. Freeze TGT products on time. Want to store them longer? Do so before the TGT date.
4. Take care after opening. A product that has been opened spoils faster. Then look not only at the date, but also at how long it has been open.
5. Use the Food Centre storage guide. In it, you can see exactly how long you can store something. Handy for the kitchen!

Wasting less together

A lot of food is thrown away unnecessarily because people do not understand the best-before date. By looking better and storing smarter, together we make a difference. That way, we can reduce waste and waste fewer raw materials. Good for your wallet and good for the environment.