What to do with expired food

Due to the emergency to which the coronavirus has led us, we have been confined for more than a month, leaving only for the essentials. Among those essential outings are going to the supermarket or basic necessities stores to stock up on what we need.

It's not easy to calculate when to buy for longer terms, and you may have fallen short of some things and, instead, you have accumulated other products that are now expiring or spoiling in your fridge or pantry. What must be done to avoid it?

Expiration date and best before consumption

Have they expired or can they be consumed? Expiration date and best before are two different concepts that apply to different types of food.

What to do with meat, fish and poultry when its expiration date approaches

Meat, chicken and fish. With this type of food there are only two options, freeze or cook.

If we see that a day has passed from the expiration date, you can still cook it: wash the food and make a stew, a stew, some meatballs, meat in sauce, stew, pottage... that way, with prolonged cooking, it will kill pathogenic bacteria. In these cases, as always happens with raw foods, they must be handled with great care: you must wash your hands and all the utensils that have been in contact with the food to avoid cross contamination.

It can also be frozen and, even after frozen if it is cooked, it can be frozen again already cooked, thus greatly extending its shelf life.

What to do with sausages and cheeses when their expiration date approaches

What to do with fruits and vegetables when they start to spoil

What to do with pastries when they starts to dry

Foods that can be used after the date

There are other types of food that can be eaten without problems even after the date on the packaging has passed: see what they are the products that should not be thrown away just because the date is fulfilled.

Take advantage of leftovers

Beyond the great classics of cooking, purees, French toast, croquettes... there are other options to avoid throwing away food, even the remains that we normally throw away.

It only takes a little imagination and a little more time: it's time.

Information on coronavirus