In this article I record my personal experiences of consuming food that had expired (i.e. beyond the stated expiry date).The consumption was either while fresh or after cooking.
10% of the 88 million tonnes of food waste in the European Union ends up in the trash due to misinterpretation of the expiry date
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) estimates that up to 10% of the 88 million tonnes of food waste generated each year in the EU is linked to the misinterpretation of the expiry date on food products.
Simply put, 8.8 million tonnes of food (or 8.8 million kilograms of food) are thrown away every year in the EU, simply because the indicated expiry date has passed, even for one day!
The total number is shocking. The total weight of uneaten food in the European Union per year, which ends up in landfills, is 88 million kilos.
Let me add as a personal comment that 10% is the average for the European Union. But not all EU countries are at the same level. Some have a better economic and living standard than others. In the former, I imagine that the percentage of food that ends up in the garbage is higher than in other poorer countries.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA : European Food Safety Authority) is a European Union agency established to provide independent scientific advice and communication on existing risks associated with the food chain. EFSA was formally established in January 2002, following a series of food crises in the late 1990s. Since 2005, EFSA has been based in Parma, in the heart of Italy’s Food Valley.
What does the expiry date on food packaging mean?
First of all, we need to have a clear idea of what the expiry date on food packaging means.
On food products we will find two formulations regarding their expiry date:
α) “use by”
The wording “use by” on food is about safety: food can be eaten until a certain date, but not after, even if it looks or smells good, as it could cause food poisoning.
(b) “Preferably consumed before”
The wording ‘consumption preferably before’ refers to quality: that the food will be safe to eat even after the date shown on the label, but may not be in optimal condition, for example in terms of taste and texture.
Personal experiences
Over the last 3 years we have used and consumed “expired” food without any problems.
I have to admit that before, we would throw away any expired food without a second thought. We thought they were spoiled and would be dangerous.
“Expired” food that we have consumed
I list the foods we have consumed after the expiration date listed. At the same time I am also mentioning the place where they were stored because this is also important.
Yoghurt
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 15 days
Storage in: Refrigerator
Milk (long-life)
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 3 days
Storage in: Refrigerator
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 30 days
Storage in: Refrigerator
Flour
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 4 months
Storage in: Refrigerator
Eggs
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 10 days
Storage in: Refrigerator
Butter
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 2 months
Storage in: Refrigerator
Pasta
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 3 months
Storage in: Out of refrigerator
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 3 months
Storage in: Out of refrigerator
Rice
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 3 months
Storage in: Out of refrigerator
Bread (purchased)
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 6 months
Storage in: Freezer
Bread (home-baked)
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 9 months
Storage in: Freezer
Toast Bread
Maximum consumption time after expiry: 20 days
Storage in: Refrigerator
Meat
Maximum consumption time after purchase: 11 months!!!
Storage in: Freezer
Fruits
Maximum consumption time after purchase: 3 months (see apples)
Storage in: Refrigerator
Maximum consumption time after purchase: 15 days
Storage in: Refrigerator
Conclusion
By storing the food properly, we were able to consume it after its expiration.
They had no difference in taste or other properties compared to the unexpired food.
Aside from the savings we made, the moral gain was that we didn’t waste food. We respected the effort of everyone who worked until it reached our home.
Note: This article conveys my personal experiences and in no way recommends the use of expired food, as this can cause food poisoning and general health problems for some people.
Sources
What does the expiry date on food packaging mean?
EFSA : European Food Safety Authority
Tags: ECONOMY • EXPERIENCES • EXPIRED FOOD • RECIPES • TRASH • TRASHES
