How Packaging Helps Waste Less Food

source: Wikipedia ; CC license

Modern packaging helps food stay fresher for longer – both while it’s sat on the shelf at the supermarket, and when you get it home. Think about what happens with a large majority of your food, and you’ll realise that a lot of it actually ends up in the bin. Supermarkets are past masters at offering special deals on multiple items, and buying in bulk is actively encouraged. Whether you need to actually buy 48 burger buns at a time or not, the discounted price often forces you into making an unwise choice. There are some very simple and small changes you can make in your eating habits that will help you waste far less food, and best of all save your hard earned cash.

Top Tips to Keep Your Food Fresher for Longer

Don’t take your fruit and veg out of its packaging as soon as you get it home. The packaging has been designed to keep contents fresher for longer, so why not take advantage? Kept in its original packaging your shrink wrapped cucumber will last five times longer.

Packs that can be closed again after being opened will keep the food in tip top condition for longer. If you can’t find re-closable packaging make use of a clip, or put the contents in an air-tight container.

Don’t put your bread in the fridge. You’re mistaken if you think it’ll keep it fresh for longer, as it will actually dry out much quicker. Bread likes to be kept in a cool, dark place which is why a bread bin will be a good investment. Bread can also be frozen, so if you’re tempted by 48 burger buns, wrap those you aren’t going to use straight away and pop them into the freezer.

Packaging Labels are Undergoing a Change

New legislation is changing the way your food is labelled, in order to make things less confusing and more helpful for consumers.

• Display until dates are being removed – to make it easier for consumers to see the ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates
• ‘Best before’ dates are being used more than ‘use by’ dates, because it gives greater flexibility
• A lot of packaging now gives purchasers useful advice on storage – where to store it in order to keep it at its best
• Recycling information is now included on the packaging, and will tell you how to dispose of it and whether it can be recycled