How consumers use food optimally

Federal agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner (CDU) wants to halve food waste in Germany by 2030. In addition to the foods, which are already discarded on the way to the supermarket, consumers have a responsibility. An Overview.

What is the Problem?

In a private house, the Ministry of land holding according to the state’s economy per year, and the head 55 kilograms of food in the garbage. Half of it is, therefore, preventable. Fruit and vegetables make up about a third of the avoidable waste. It Cooked, bread and baking follow goods, beverages, dairy products, finished products as well as fish and meat.

This will be used for the production of these foods, valuable resources. For a kilogram of beef is about 15.420 litres of water, according to the Ministry necessary, in addition, 13.3 kilograms of CO2 are produced. For a kilogram of Apples there are still 820 liters of water and 550 grams of CO2.

How can citizens avoid food waste already when shopping?

The Ministry of agriculture gives the following tips: shopping should be planned, a shopping list can help. In the supermarket, consumers should take their time and not “hungry” shopping. Otherwise there is the risk of spontaneous purchases large, which will not be eaten. You should think about how much you yogurt really consume, and in case of doubt, prefer for the smaller pack attack.

How is food stored properly?

Fruit and vegetables belong in the refrigerator at the very bottom to the vegetable, fish and meat on the bottom shelf, milk and milk products to the medium-sized, cheese and leftovers on the top. Eggs, Butter, and beverages all have their place in the door. With the exception of fruit and vegetables, everything should be well Packed.

Not in the fridge: bread, cooking oils, potatoes, eggplant, Avocados, tomatoes, and most Fruits.

Potatoes and onions need a dry, dark place. Bread is in a bread box or a stoneware pot fresh for longer. Cheese is the best piece to buy and a coated paper to follow. Apples and tomatoes from streams of ethylene gas that makes other fruits and vegetables ripen, they should be stored separately. Opened packages – such as flour, rice or nuts in containers, seal decant. Open canned filling and quick to consume.

What to do in case of mold?

If mold growth is announced according to the Federal center for nutrition caution: In the case of bread, yogurt, jam and cheese (Soft, such as hard cheese) should be the whole pack is thrown away because the mold could have spread.

In the case of nuts, citrus fruits, berries, vegetables with high water content such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, or Zucchini, and root vegetables such as carrots should be at least the infested fruits completely disposed of.

What is the difference between date of minimum durability and ‘use by’ date?

Foods are stored and supported correctly, also after the expiry of the minimum durability date is usually still edible. Pre-packaged food to bear the wording “best before”, to keep you up to date of your product typical properties, i.e. taste, odour or nutritional value, provided they are in their original packaging and have been stored correctly.

Even then, they are mostly still for a while edible. The following principle applies: First look, then smell, then taste. Everything appears normal, contrary to the enjoyment of the General, nothing.

Products with “use by” date according to the expiry in the trash. In the case of foodstuffs which are highly perishable, it must be the note “use by”, followed by a description of the storage conditions. As a perishable food such minced raw meat, poultry and pre-cut salads apply.