VideoThe supermarket is often the first moment when you come into contact with the food and drinks that you bring into your home. But what do you pay attention to if you want to do this as safely as possible? Some tips for improvement.
“Don’t buy or pack refrigerated products until the last minute in the store and put them away first at home,” begins Kathelijn van Elk, impact manager at Too Good To Go, an app where you can buy leftover food from companies. “That means they are out of the fridge for as short a time as possible. Also check the use-by date of perishable products, such as fresh fish or meat. Are you going to use that product later? Then consider whether you can freeze it at home or adjust your schedule.”
“Perishable products can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer,” says Van Elk. The ideal refrigerator temperature is 4 degrees. Good to know: perishable products (with a best-before date) have on the packaging the best way to store them.”
“If a product heats up, bacteria can easily grow in it,” says Marcel Zwietering, professor of food microbiology at Wageningen University. “But you also heat up the refrigerator and the products in it, so don’t leave them out of the refrigerator for too long. It is also good to carry several bags: one for chilled and frozen products, and one for room temperature products. You can also use a cool bag for cooled products.”
I always say: to use until, that’s really a commandment
Also remember to check the packaging of a product in advance for damage, says Lolkje de Vries, spokesperson for the Nutrition Center. “This is especially important for products from the refrigeration. If there is a tear in the meat packaging, air can get in and the meat can spoil more quickly. Fluid can also leak out and end up on your other food.”
Difference between tgt and tht
What is the difference between a best-before date and a best-before date? “Ten percent of wasted food in Europe is related to expiration dates, so it’s good to know the difference between the two,” says Van Elk. “The use-by date (tgt) indicates the use-by date and can be found on products that spoil quickly. You should therefore eat (or freeze) these products before or on the date. After the TBT date, the product is no longer safe to eat. The best before date (best before date) refers to the quality of the product. The producer guarantees the quality until this date, but often it is still tasty long after the date.”
The tgt date is thus related to safety. Zwietering: ,,I always say: to be used until, that is really an injunction. Can be used on a wide range of products, for example yogurt, cheese and pasteurized milk. It does state that you should keep it refrigerated, at less than 7 degrees (preferably 4 degrees). So you always put it in the fridge.”
Tht products such as sterilized milk or tin cans should only be kept refrigerated after opening. “The shelf life on that best-before date is even one or two years. The product has an unlimited shelf life microbiologically and in terms of safety. Gradually, it may discolour a bit and the quality may deteriorate somewhat,” says Zwietering.
You also have products that you should store in a cool, dry and dark place. ,,You almost have to be a Dutchman to follow this properly, because this is different from refrigerated storage. You should not put these products in the sun or in a warm room, such as flour or olive oil. The sun can spoil them, discolor them and turn them rancid, giving them a foul odor. It is best to keep them in a kitchen cupboard or the cellar.”
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