Expert reveals 5 ways to prevent excessive food waste

With the price of food rising by 13.6% in the past year, now more than ever, Brits are considering their food purchasing habits and consumption in order to save money.

Thankfully, there are many ways you can change your routine and use up all of the food from your weekly food shop to reduce excessive waste.

To help Brits get the most out of their food, Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online, which supplies food preservation containers, has provided five tips that Brits can action to save money.

“Preventing food waste is essential for conserving resources and saving money, but what many don’t realise is how easy it is for food waste to accumulate. Thankfully, there are multiple ways you can prevent excessive food waste.”

1. Invest in high-quality food containers 

“Preparing too much food during meal times is inevitable, especially for families, so there is a likelihood of leftovers. While the easiest option may be to throw the leftovers away, storing them in the fridge instead means they can be a quick option to eat a few days later. The trick is to invest in high-quality food containers. Airtight food containers prevent oxygen from getting to the food, which can cause it to get spoiled sooner, so it’s best to invest in containers that will allow for food to last a little longer.”

2. Revive old fruit and vegetables

“It’s normal to feel wary eating old fruit and vegetables, but you don’t need to. Even when fruit and vegetables are past their best, there are still plenty of ways we can use them. For smoothies especially, overripe fruits are best as they are even sweeter than previously; simply blend them with yoghurt or milk in a blender.”

“Soups and stews are another great way to use vegetables just past their prime. The cooking process softens them, making them ideal for blending. Just make sure that the vegetables haven’t started to grow mould, otherwise they should be fine.”

3. Know when to use a microwave, or an oven

“Some foods reheat better in the microwave than the oven. Use the microwave for leftovers with a high water count, such as soups, stews and pasta dishes. Microwaves tend to be quicker in terms of heating up the food as it heats the inside and outside of the food at the same time.”

“Use an oven for foods you want to reheat with crispy textures, such as pizza, chips or other fried items. The dry heat of the oven can help retain and restore the crispy texture.”

4. Freeze your food

“Thankfully, there are more foods you can freeze than those you cannot, which means it is great for preventing food waste. Fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, baked goods and soups are all foods that can be frozen and reheated when you need them. Just make sure that you leave enough time to defrost before eating.”

“Cooked pasta isn’t the best to freeze, as its texture can become soft once defrosted. Vegetables with a high water content, like lettuce and cucumber, also don’t freeze well because they can become mushy and unappetising once thawed. Anything with a high water content, such as watermelon, is best to leave out of the freezer.”

5. Check your fridge is at the right temperature setting

“To check if your fridge is at the right temperature setting, purchase a fridge thermometer and place it in the centre of the fridge’s main compartment, away from the sides and any food items. Allow your fridge to run for at least 24 hours, and avoid opening the doors as much as you can. This will make sure that you get an accurate temperature reading. It is recommended that your fridge should be five degrees or below. Bacteria grows between 8 and 63 degrees, so keeping your fridge as cool as possible will prevent bacteria growth. If the temperature is higher than five degrees, adjust the fridge’s temperature settings accordingly.”

Alliance Online have released these comments to encourage Brits to reduce excessive food waste and, in turn, save money amidst the cost of living crisis.