Loud verbraucherzentrale.de land, In Germany alone , every year around 12 million tons Food in the trash – that’s a daily scarcity 33,000 tons . On average, the end consumer per year approximately 75 kilograms of food. But manufacturers, agriculture and trade also contribute to the food waste The fact that the wasteful use of food negative on the Environment and our resource It should be clear to everyone how our behaviour serious consequences for the supply of the population in poorer countries has?
Food waste – 20,000,000,000 euros end up in the trash
The value of food thrown away from private households alone amounts to 20 billion euros per year. For the disposal of food, 480,000 semi-trailers necessary.
The majority of food that is thrown away is fruit and vegetables (38%) and ready meals (25%). bread and baked goods (16%) and dairy products (10%) together make up about a quarter. meat and fish (5%) and other foods (6%) complete the list.
Impact of Food Waste on Environment & Resources
That the production and the transport It should come as no surprise that it involves a lot of energy, water and other raw materials. What is alarming, however, is that around 30 percent of the world's available arable land quasi unnecessary be used, since the food is all in the trash and are not consumed by us as consumers. Since the production, transport and disposal of food climate-damaging gases such as CO2 global food waste also has an impact negative impact on our climate out of.
Worldwide about a third of all food produced ends up in the trash – that is 1.3 billion tons per year. While in Europe and other industrialized countries a real overproduction prevails, are currently suffering poor countries at a Undersupply . One reason for this is that many arable lands on site for the food exports to high-income countries. In addition, the cultivation of feed and biofuel important areas are missing that would be needed to grow food for people.
Our food waste results in a real overproduction. This in turn increases demand for raw materials, which increases prices for important staple foods The ones who suffer most here are the poorer countries that can no longer afford such important staple foods.
Reasons for Food Waste
According to the Welthungerhilfe exists three main reasons for the high food waste The lion’s share (58%) is made up of durability problems – or rather the lack of knowledge about terms such as best-before date (MHD) and use-by date (more on this in a moment). 21% are on overly large portions and 12% is the incorrect quantity planning already when shopping out of.
MHD, use-by date, best before, use by – what are the differences?
Unfortunately, many people still have some confusion about the terms mentioned above. Need for clarification . For this reason, we would like to explain the individual terms in more detail. best-before date (or MHD for short) is often referred to as expiration date – but in reality it is a kind of Marker . The MHD indicates the date until which a unopened food (if stored properly) guaranteed to last These include typical characteristics such as Taste , Color or Nutritional values . Foods are therefore not automatically spoiled just because the best before date has passed. In the vast majority of cases, these products are still edible . It is also quite easy to determine whether “expired” food is still in order or should be thrown away. Take a close look at the food, smell you or try out Just a little bit of it. Only when the product atypical smells, tastes or even changes color, you should no longer consume . In really many cases can foods with expired , still easily consumed – sometimes even weeks after the best-before date has expired.
The situation is somewhat different with the Use by date . Products that are labelled “use by…” should also urgently before the expiration date The use-by date can usually be found on easily perishable products such as:
- ground meat
- fresh meat products
- smoked fish
- delicatessen salads
- already cut salads
Is that If the use-by date has been exceeded , it may (unlike if the best before date has been exceeded) no longer be sold and should therefore no longer be eaten. It belongs in the garbage.
It is similar with American food . There are formulations like “enjoy by”, “best by”, “best before” or “use by” . While the latter can be equated with the German use-by date, the other three wordings ultimately have the same meaning as the best-before date . Products marked with “use by” should therefore be consumed no later than the date printed on the product. Foods marked with the other wordings are also often after expiration the respective date edible .
11 Tips to Prevent Food Waste
A each of us On average, food worth about 230 euros . With a more conscious approach we can not only Environment and our climate but also protect our wallet We have summarized some points for you on how you can food waste at home and on the go while shopping counteract So you can two-thirds avoid food waste.
Plan your purchase correctly
Before you rush to the supermarket, you should check which foods You still in Refrigerator or on stock Unfortunately, it happens quite often that existing products into oblivion and we therefore buy again .
Don't go shopping hungry
If we hungry we tend to to buy significantly more than we actually need. So try to Spontaneous purchases caused by hunger Our tip: drink a glass of water before shopping Glass of warm tap water . This suppresses the feeling of hunger.
Take the leftovers to work
You have cooked and it is still Anything left over ? Then take a Portion to work . So you also have to no thoughts about lunch the next day.
Store food properly
Not all products belong in the Refrigerator . Find out about the proper storage of the products – the also extends the shelf life of food. You should also clean your refrigerator and pantry Clean regularly so that bacteria cannot attack the food so quickly.
Freeze food
Many foods can be freeze easily and are so several weeks or Months shelf life. Do you currently have products that you do not need? freezer with it!
Avoid XXL packages and special offers
We always reach for special offers like “three for two” or XXL packs . At the end of the day, however, we usually have to throw away some of it because we didn’t manage to finish it all. Who shopping consciously and do not be tempted by supposed bargains, saves so in the end Money .
Cook dishes from leftovers
If you have little food left, think about how you can leftovers in Integrate dishes can. Be creative !
best-before date and use-by date
As mentioned above, products whose MHD expired are not necessarily bad . Make sure you have all your senses (see, smell, taste) whether the food in question can still be consumed. In the vast majority of cases, the Food is still good . You will be surprised!
Buy products with short best before and use-by dates
You already know what you today or morning All the better, then you can shop consciously on food with short MHD or use-by date because the products are processed promptly become.
Use fruits and vegetables with bruises
Despite proper storage receive fruits and vegetables after some time Pressure points . But that is still no reason the food If you discover bruises, you should use the food as soon as possible – before these to mold start. Pressure points can of course also be cut away.
Process overripe fruit
Your strawberries are a bit in oblivion and you don't want to eat them anymore? No problem! Overripe fruit you can safely compote , jam or in Cake process.
Everyone can do something to combat food waste
We have some tips and Possibilities shown how you as a consumer can food waste largely reduce If you remember the beginning of the article, in addition to the end consumer, dealers , Manufacturer and agriculture responsible for food waste.
We at American Heritage – as a retailer – want the counteract waste and try to contribute a small part. This way, all food is short MHD has been reduced significantly in good time , so that for most products a buyer We also support so-called Food Saver projects by Groceries to the board or to the Donate to the social department store .
When trade, consumers, manufacturers and agriculture together in one direction and start to eat again to appreciate something more , we are on the right track.
