Admittedly, we live in a modern age, but we must also admit that our society lives quite wastefully. While children in developing countries go hungry and even die day after day, the hedonism and the resulting flood of waste in industrialized countries is downright shocking. We often thoughtlessly throw away food, believing that it is no longer edible or simply bad for us. But can we really confirm these assumptions? What do we really know about the shelf life of the food we hold in our hands and consume every day?
What has what shelf life?
Here is a small list of tips that we can take to heart in everyday life.
Organic products
Organic products of any kind are generally provided with very few or no preservatives. This naturally also means that they do not have a long shelf life. Be sure to pay attention to the expiration date and consume these foods quickly.
Eggs
Eggs can certainly be kept in the refrigerator for 2 – 4 weeks, even if the best-before date has passed.BUT: after the expiration date has passed, you should check the eggs for smell and consistency. Furthermore, raw consumption is not recommended. Heat the eggs and use them more for baking.
Fish
At Fish one should exercise caution. The prescribed use-by date must under no circumstances be exceeded, as salmonella and E. coli bacteria multiply rapidly here. In any case, consume fresh fish as quickly as possible.Tip: Canned fish, however, has a longer shelf life because it is pre-cooked and preserved in oil. After opening the can, check whether the oil smells rancid – this negatively affects the taste and makes the fish inedible.
Poultry
Poultry is also to be treated delicately. The best-before date should be observed very closely, especially with fresh poultry. Also, an increased occurrence of salmonella and E. coli bacteria is to be expected when consuming expired goods.
Vegetables
Vegetables are only particularly tasty and healthy if they are also fresh. You should under no circumstances use moldy vegetables. Since most types of vegetables have a high water content, the mold spreads within a very short time and colonizes the entire food item. Better to put it in the organic waste.
Grain products
generally keep for quite a long time. However, if these products are infested with mold, the entire contents of the bag or can must be thrown away. The danger here is simply too great that aflatoxins – dangerous mold toxins – will form. These can sometimes lead to dangerous liver damage and also promote cancer.
Minced meat
Minced meat is best consumed on the same day. After the best-before date has passed, you should no longer use fresh minced meat – here too, the risk of salmonella and E. coli bacteria formation is too high.
Dairy products
Dairy products keep for up to 10 days after the best-before date if stored correctly. However, a freshness, taste, and smell test should also be carried out here. With yogurt, you can also tell by the lid; if it bulges, it is no longer edible.
Canned goods
All canned goods generally have a long shelf life. After opening, it must be checked whether the can has an inner coating. If one is present, the container must be closed and stored in the refrigerator. In this way, open cans usually keep for up to 3 days.
Frozen goods
have a best-before date. This should definitely be observed. How long a product lasts depends on the processing and the product itself. Fatty frozen food lasts longer than water-containing goods.
Sausage
Sausage should always be viewed with eagle eyes. Do not consume expired goods and pay attention to appearance, smell, and taste. If something no longer looks good and fresh, it should be thrown away.
Read also:Â Tips for freezing and keeping food fresh
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
