4 storage tips that can help reduce food wastage

How you store your food can determine how much of it goes to waste. (Rawpixel pic)

Khazanah Research Institute has reported that, on average, Malaysia generates 16,000 tonnes of food waste daily, most of which is household food.

Knowing how to store food correctly is one way to reduce this.

1. Discard expired items

This might be a no-brainer to some, but it is easy to argue that use-by dates are just a mark of quality and do not indicate spoilage.

This can be hard to spot, so, if one is not completely sure it is safer to throw out any questionable items.

2. Abide by the two-hour/four-hour rule

This is a safety standard followed by many government food and safety regulators.

The scientifically proven rule states that foods that require refrigeration cannot sit at room temperature for more than two hours.

If the food sits outside for two to four hours, it is best used immediately and not refrigerated again.

If the food sits beyond four hours, it must be discarded.

3. Clean the fridge regularly

To prevent food contamination, it is advisable to clean the fridge regularly whether or not spills and leakages have occurred.

4. Optimise the temperature of the freezer and fridge

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the ideal temperature of the fridge is at or below 4ºC and the freezer, at or below 0ºC, to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

If the fridge does not have a built-in thermostat, buy a fridge thermometer.

After doing all this, why does food still spoil too quickly?

If food is still spoiling quickly, the fridge may need servicing.

The most common causes of malfunctioning are overloading, faulty installation, worn out seals, broken compressors and gas leaks.

If there are loud noises emanating from the fridge or it is hot to the touch, call a professional to check it out. (Rawpixel pic)

Sign that show your fridge needs a repair

1. Loud vibrations or noises

Loud noises or unusual vibrations can be caused by a dirty condenser pan, worn-out condenser, malfunctioning motor, failing evaporator fan or a faulty compressor. It is best to seek professional help to troubleshoot.

2. Hot to the touch

The back of the fridge is normally warm during operation but excessive heat is a tell-tale sign of overheating.

Common causes can include a motor fan running too hot, dirty condenser coils or poor ventilation. Should the issue persist, consult a professional.

3. Excessive sweating or condensation

There should not be any build-up of water droplets or condensation outside the fridge.

It is caused by wear and tear of the door seals. Since condensation can occur inside and outside the fridge, check on possible mould growth and repair the fridge quickly

4. Food is spoiling rapidly

If food is spoiling too quickly, it could mean that the fridge is not reaching the optimum cooling temperature quickly enough.

This not only leads to spoilage but it can affect the electricity bill as well. Have this checked by an expert

5. Frost build-up in the freezer

Most fridges and freezers are frost-free but frost build-up can occur, usually caused by a cracked door seal that allows warm air to enter into the freezer or frozen evaporator coils that cause temperature fluctuations.

It is wise to call a technician to deal with this.

This article originally appeared on recommend.my – Malaysia’s #1 Home Improvement Services Platform. Recommend.my offers a safer and more convenient way to hire the best home improvement and home maintenance professionals. From flooring to interior design to air-conditioner servicing, get access to thousands of the best local contractors and professionals at your fingertips.

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