How to get more value from food:
? Keep all dairy products in the fridge. Milk left out for an hour is the same as losing a day in the fridge.
? Dried foods such as pasta, rice, lentils and so on will last longest if they are kept cool and dry. They can be eaten after their best-before dates as long as they look, smell and taste as they should.
? Very old flour can produce insect infestations -- don't use it.
? Tinned foods can be eaten beyond the best-before date. But watch out for the food interacting with the tin, changing colour and taste, and oxidisation, which will make it unsafe to eat.
? Dried herbs will brown and crinkle after the best-before date. They may not cause harm but will not flavour your food. Look out for mould.
? Labels such as 'sell by' and 'display until' are for stock control by shops and are of no interest to householders . 'Use by' dates should be followed, but treat 'best-before' dates as guides.
Irish Independent
