Well, instead of throwing expired foods away, let me share with you some tips and tricks on how to identify what expired food are still safe to eat.

Use By VS Best Before

Unlike Use By, where we are unable to eat the food product after the date because of the health risks they may provide, best before dates have a different meaning to it. Simply put, best before allows us to understand when we can consume the food at its best quality, and that the food product may lose its quality after a certain date.

This means that while foods after its "best before" date are still completely edible, it may taste worse.

Consider the food type

Generally, dry and canned foods are still edible after their expiry dates. This is because the bacteria are unable to spread in dry conditions. However, please ensure you check for any dents on the can, and exercise caution before eating the food product. It is also advisable to store such items in appropriate places like fridges.

However, dairy products like milk tend to spoil quickly, and it is advisable that you throw them away after their expiry date.

All in all, there are certain food products that are still safe to consume after their expiry dates. However, if in doubt, please discard the food as you may get food poisoning when consuming such food items. The next time you visit the supermarket, remind yourself to buy only what you can consume.

We can use food waste for compost which helps to fertilize plants by natural decomposition. Microorganisms will feed on the compost and convert it into nutrients for the soil, aiding in the growth of plants, such as vegetables and fruit plants. These healthier fruits and vegetables will then be sent back to you on your table to eat, which creates a cycle where you get better-quality food, while reducing food waste.

How do you compost?

Compost helps to fertilize the soil, and can be easily done. Composting is as simple as collecting your uneaten food waste, such as leftovers, fruit skins, banana peels, and the like. After collecting your food waste, all you have to do is pile them up together on top of some soil where you are raising your plants. As composting is a natural process, all that is left to do is to let nature do its work. Your compost pile will naturally decompose, dropping its nutrients into the soil, allowing for your plants to grow better. A simple effort such as piling your food waste together in your garden can make a big impact in reducing food waste.

What can you compost?

You can compost all food waste, such as meat, vegetable peels, rice, other grains, and eggshells. You can also compost some non-food waste materials, such as sawdust, napkins, paper, and twigs.

How long does composting take?

For your entire pile of compost to completely decompose, it normally takes about a year.

If everyone were to partake in this basic activity of composting, the amount of food waste globally is sure to decrease by a considerable amount.