Refrigerator - The storage time of food in the refrigerator - Tips - UFC -Que Choisir

Food storage time in the refrigerator

If the cold slows down the proliferation of bacteria and mold, its effect is only valid for time.To consume without danger food, it is therefore important to observe certain rules, starting with the storage time of foodstuffs.However, all foods do not keep in the same way.Some can also alter themselves faster than others.Que Choisir gives you some tips to best prolong the storage time of food in the refrigerator.

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What are the conservation times depending on the foodstuffing?

According to the latest public health report France, between 10,000 and 16,000 people are victims of a food infection each year.Among the possible causes is the poor preservation of foodstuffs.So until it is it possible to consume food preserved at the expense without danger?Here are some indications to find yourself there.

Please note, the values entered in this table are given as an indication.The freshness of the product for purchase also plays.

Good to know.If you want to consume foodstuffs far beyond the recommended shelf life, freezing is indicated.

Should we trust the expiration dates?

Perisable products all display a expiration date.This compulsory mention is a useful source of information for the consumer.However, there are different types of dating depending on food, namely the deadline for consumption (DLC) and the minimum durability date (DDM), formerly called Optimal Deadline (DLUO).

Consumption deadline (DLC)

European regulations require that the most perishable foods bear a deadline for consumption.This is generally preceded by the mention "to consume up to/before".Beyond this date, food is likely to present a health danger.

Minimum durability date (DDM)

Unlike the most fragile foodstuffs, the most stable foods in time are, they have a minimum durability date, replacing the old name "Optimal deadline", sometimes not understood by consumers.

The latter is then preceded by the mention "to consume preferably before".In other words, this is only an indication. Au-delà de cette date, les produits restent consommables sans danger.Only taste or nutritional qualities deteriorate.So don't rush to throw them away!

The right gesture: check before you throw

According to the Ecological Transition Agency (ADEME), nearly 10 million tonnes of consumable food are wasted each year.Or the equivalent of 150 kg per year and per inhabitant.Before throwing your food for seemingly outdated, make sure they are no longer consumable.The planet, like your wallet, will thank you!

Theoretical deadlines

If they constitute an important source of information for the consumer, the expiration dates - whether it is a DLC or a DDM - remain purely theoretical.Despite the deadlines indicated on the packaging, certain perishable products can therefore continue to be consumed without risk, such as yogurts and butter.The reason is essentially marketing: an expired product is a product more quickly redeemed.

Yogurts

If there is no regulatory text, manufacturers impose a period of 30 days between the manufacture of yogurts and their DLC.In principle, it is therefore not recommended to consume them beyond this period.Nevertheless, the yogurts (whether natural, flavored or fermented milk) remain consumable without problem up to three weeks after the date indicated on the packaging: they are simply likely to increase.So no need to hasten to throw them away from the outdated DLC!Even control your before consumption yogurts.Pay attention in particular to the smell, taste and color.

Mails and Milky desserts not to put in the same basket

Be careful not to confuse yogurts (containing lactic bacteria such as plain yogurt, fruit, flavored, etc.) and Milky desserts (chocolate mosses, egg creams, milk rice, floating islands, etc.).The composition of the latter being different, they can be damaged faster.

Butter

In the same way as yogurts, butter can be consumed without risk after the theoretical time of expiration: it remains consumable up to 2 months after its date of minimum sustainability (DDM). Butter nécessite toutefois d’être conservé avec précaution afin de préserver toute sa saveur.The cold chain must also have been respected.

To prevent it from becoming rancid, keep it away from light and air.It will thus be kept perfectly in its original packaging - provided, however, that the latter is not torn apart.

After being started, he is consumed within three weeks.

Kiss the butter

Butter peut aisément se congeler.Pack it in aluminum foil, freezing bag or a hermetic container.So protected, the soft butter keeps up to 3 months in the freezer and salted butter, up to 1 year.

To defrost it, place it 6 to 7 hours in the refrigerator or 3 to 4 hours at room temperature.If the recipe requires melted butter, you can also go to the microwave or melt in a double boiler.

How do you know if a product is expired?

Beyond the expiration dates indicated on the packaging and the theoretical conservation duration, it remains essential to remain attentive to certain alert signals.Before consuming a product kept cool for several days, so remember to control well:

The freshness of certain foods remains more difficult to judge the naked eye and therefore requires special vigilance.This is particularly the case for eggs.To check their freshness, immerse them one by one in a bowl of water: the more the egg floats, the less it is fresh.You can also break it in a pan.If the white remains well grouped around yellow, it's a good sign.On the other hand, if it spreads, it is that it is old.

How to prolong food storage time?

Here are some tips for avoiding waste and keeping your food for longer in the refrigerator.

Store your food properly in the fridge

In a static cold refrigerator, the temperature differs according to the areas.Placing food in the right place therefore ensures good preservation of your food, but also to avoid the proliferation of bacteria which can cause food poisoning.

Sort your products

Do not blindly store all your products in the refrigerator.Contrary to popular belief, some keep better at room temperature.

Avoid filling your refrigerator too much

To be effective, the refrigerator should not be too full.So leave space between the food for the air to circulate.

Enclose food correctly

Make sure your food is well insulated from each other.Pack them separately in cling film or enclose them in hermetic boxes.

Do not put anything hot

Cooked or leftover dishes must imperatively be cooled at room temperature before being placed in the refrigerator.

Consume your products in order

After a lot of races, favor the consumption of the most fragile foodstuffs.Also pay attention to the dates.Use Products in priority in priority, whose consumption deadline is approaching according to the logic of the "first entry, first out".

Remember to freeze

If you know in advance that you will not consume all your products, place them, if possible, in the freezer.Be careful to respect freezing and defrosting rules to avoid any risk of food poisoning.

Buy less, but more regularly

Do you regularly throw damaged or expired products?The best solution is still to buy your foodstuffs in smaller quantities, even if it means returning to the supermarket or the premiere more frequently.

Keep a clean fridge

Immediately clean all castor or dirt.Remove the packaging of the cans or yogurts, which can be dirty.

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Anne-Sophie Bedel