Expired food, do I throw it away or not?

Type: TikTok

Author: Silvia Moroni – on social networks: Talk Sustainable

Year: 2022

Language: Italian

After earning her master’s degree at Pollenzo in food and sustainability, Silvia Moroni decided to address the topic of sustainability and circular economy on social media in an ironic yet educational way. In particular, he made a very interesting video, circulated on both TikTok and Instagram, in which he explains how expired food does not necessarily have to be thrown away.

Silvia explains that yogurt can be consumed even up to 10 days after its expiration date if stored properly in the refrigerator. In fact, the indicated expiration date is more a guarantee of the maximum freshness of the product, rather than the time when that food should no longer be consumed. Of course, however, yogurt must be thrown away when it develops mold and its color changes.

Next Silvia talks about theoil and how it can still be used for cooking even up to 8 months after its expiration date, despite having lost some of its key antioxidants.

Finally, he talks about pasta and frozen foods, explaining that these foods can be safe to consume beyond their expiration date if stored at consistent temperatures. The quality of frozen food may decline over time, but food safety is not compromised if the product has been stored properly.

Silvia Moroni therefore wants to spread the message that the expiration date is only an indicator of freshness and quality, not a categorical deadline. Thus, adopting a more conscious approach can contribute significantly to the reduction of food waste, one of the crucial challenges for environmental sustainability.