The Ultimate 9


Dairy products: Milk,
yogurt, cheese.
Leftovers: Cooked
meals, takeout.
Ready-to-eat foods: Deli
meats, pre-packaged snacks.
Eggs: Store in
their original carton.
Condiments: Jams,
sauces, pickles.
Beverages: Juices,
sodas, water bottles.
Raw meat, poultry, and fish: Keep
these in sealed containers to prevent cross-contamination.
Dairy products: Butter,
cream.
Fruits: Apples,
berries, grapes (use the high-humidity drawer).
Vegetables: Leafy
greens, carrots, bell peppers (use the low-humidity drawer).
Condiments: Ketchup,
mustard, salad dressings.
Beverages: Milk, juice, small
bottles.
Butter and soft cheeses: These can
be stored here as the temperature is slightly warmer.
Frozen vegetables and fruits: Peas,
berries, mixed veggies.
Meat and seafood: Store in
airtight bags or containers.
Prepared meals: Soups,
casseroles, frozen dinners.
Ice cream and desserts: Ice
cream, frozen yogurt, popsicles.
Butter compartment: For
butter and margarine.
Cheese drawer: For
various types of cheese.
Snack drawer: For easy
access to snacks like cheese sticks, yogurt tubes, and small fruits.

You've likely noticed above that some foods can be stored in the
refrigerator or freezer, but you may be wondering how long these items can
remain edible in those conditions. Additionally, you might be curious about
more items that can be refrigerated. For more information, please refer to the
table below, and keep in mind the following code to interpret the symbols used
in the charts:
* Opened
• + Cooked
^ Refrigerate after opening
# After manufacture date

Here are 20 tips to help you
prevent food waste at home:
Plan Your Meals: Create a
weekly meal plan and make a shopping list based on it to avoid buying
unnecessary items.
Shop Smart: Stick to
your shopping list and avoid impulse buys.
Store Food Correctly: Learn the
best ways to store different types of food to keep them fresh longer.
Use FIFO (First In, First Out): Organize
your pantry and fridge so that older items are used first.
Understand Expiration Dates:
"Best before" dates are often about quality, not safety. Use your
judgment to determine if food is still good to eat.
Repurpose Leftovers: Get
creative with leftovers. Use vegetable scraps to make broth, or turn stale
bread into breadcrumbs or croutons.
Freeze Excess Food: If you
have more food than you can eat before it spoils, freeze it.
Compost:
Composting food scraps like fruit peels and coffee grounds can reduce waste and
create nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
Donate: If you
have non-perishable items you won't use, consider donating them to a local food
bank.
Keep Your Fridge Clutter-Free: A
clutter-free fridge helps you see what you have and use it before it spoils.
Learn to Preserve:
Techniques like pickling, drying, canning, fermenting, and freezing can extend
the life of your food.
Eat the Skin: Many
fruits and vegetables have edible skins that are nutritious and reduce waste.
Save Leftovers: Store
leftovers in clear containers so you can easily see and remember to eat them.
Use Smaller Plates: Smaller
plates can help control portion sizes and reduce the amount of uneaten food.
Cook in Batches: Prepare
large meals and freeze portions for later use.
Make Smoothies: Use
overripe fruits and vegetables in smoothies.
Plan Portion Sizes: Cook only
what you need to avoid excess leftovers.
Use All Parts of Vegetables: Use
stems, leaves, and other parts of vegetables in soups and stews.
Check Your Pantry: Regularly
check your pantry and fridge to use up items before they expire.
Educate Your Household: Teach everyone in your home about the importance of reducing food waste and how they can help.
Here are some more useful links for more tips & information:
Here are some key food labels that
people often misunderstand, leading to unnecessary food spoilage or waste:
Best if Used By: This
label indicates the date by which the product will be at its best quality. It
does not mean the food is unsafe to eat after this date.
Born On: Used
primarily for beverages like beer, this date indicates when the product was
brewed. It helps consumers know how fresh the beverage is.
Display Until: This
label is meant for retailers to know how long to display the product. It is not
a safety date and doesn't mean the food is unsafe after this date.
Expires On: This
label is used for products that should not be consumed after the date listed
for safety reasons. It is more common on items like medications and baby
formula.
Fortified or Enriched:
These labels indicate that vitamins or minerals have been added to the product.
Fortified foods have nutrients added that were not originally present, while
enriched foods have nutrients added back that were lost during processing.
Freeze By: This
label indicates the date by which a product should be frozen to maintain its
best quality. It does not mean the food is unsafe after this date if it has
been properly stored.
Gluten-Free: This
label is important for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It
means the product contains less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten,
which is considered safe for those with gluten-related disorders.
Guaranteed Fresh: Often
seen on bakery items, this label suggests the date by which the product will be
at its best quality. It doesn't mean the food is unsafe to eat after this date.
Harvested On: Commonly
found on produce, this label tells you when the item was harvested. It doesn't
necessarily indicate how long the food will remain fresh.
Low Fat: This
label means the product contains 3 grams of fat or less per serving. However,
low-fat products can still be high in sugar and calories.
Natural: This
label is often misunderstood. It generally means that the food doesn't contain
artificial ingredients or preservatives and is minimally processed. However, it
doesn't guarantee that the food is organic or free from pesticides.
No Preservatives: This
label means that no chemical preservatives have been added to the product.
However, it doesn't mean the food is free from natural preservatives or that it
won't spoil.
Non-GMO: This
label means the product was made without ingredients derived from genetically
modified organisms. It doesn't provide information about the nutritional value
or safety of the food.
Organic: This
label indicates that the food was produced following specific USDA guidelines
for organic farming. It doesn't necessarily mean the food is healthier or
safer, but it does mean it was produced without synthetic fertilizers,
pesticides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Packed On: This date
indicates when the product was packaged. It doesn't provide information about
the freshness or safety of the food.
Sell By: This is
intended for retailers to know how long to display the product for sale. It is
not a safety date. Foods are usually still safe to eat after the "sell
by" date if stored properly.
Sugar-Free: This
label means the product contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. It
doesn't mean the product is calorie-free or free from other sweeteners.
Use By: This
label is the manufacturer's recommendation for the last date to use the product
at peak quality. It is not necessarily a safety date, except for certain
perishable items like baby formula.
Understanding these labels can help
you make better decisions about food safety and reduce waste.