12 Things in Your Fridge You Should Throw Away

  • last year
In this video, learn about when you need to clean out your fridge and how long some things can last. It’s recommended to clean out your fridge every three to four months, but some items only have days of use once they’ve been refrigerated. Whether it’s expired condiments, homemade dressings, ground meat, or produce that you’ve just bought from the grocery store, avoid food born illness by knowing when to dispose!
Transcript
00:00 Let's be honest, how often do you clean out your fridge?
00:03 Experts recommend every three to four months.
00:05 And the next time you do a fridge audit,
00:07 there are some common items
00:09 that might be best tossed or composted.
00:12 You could broaden this category to anything that's expired,
00:14 but condiments are regular offenders.
00:16 Deli meat only lasts three to five days in the fridge
00:19 once it's been opened.
00:20 Common fermented foods like kimchi, miso,
00:23 fermented pickles, and sauerkraut
00:25 can last up to six months.
00:26 But if you notice any white film or mold on it,
00:29 there's no longer safe to eat.
00:30 The USDA suggests using ground meat
00:33 within two days of purchase.
00:35 Soft cheeses like brie and goat cheese
00:37 have a shelf life of one to two weeks
00:39 after they're opened, depending on the variety.
00:41 Once you open a can, whether it's fish, tomatoes, or beans,
00:45 the contents start to dry out.
00:46 We've all heard the advice to eat more fruits and vegetables,
00:49 which makes it especially unfortunate
00:51 that fresh produce can go bad so quickly.
00:53 Since making stock takes some time,
00:55 I usually make it in a big batch.
00:57 But remember that it only lasts in the fridge
00:59 for three to four days.
01:00 Homemade sauces don't contain the preservatives
01:02 that their store-bought counterparts might.
01:04 Taking home and saving leftovers
01:05 is a great way to reduce food waste.
01:07 But the kicker is that to reduce food waste,
01:09 you actually have to eat the leftovers.
01:12 And the USDA suggests doing that
01:13 in at most three to four days.
01:15 I hate to break this to everyone,
01:17 but our mouths carry a lot of bacteria in them.
01:20 It's recommended to replace your baking soda every 30 days.
01:23 Foodborne illness can come in a lot of different forms,
01:25 and it can be pretty serious for some.
01:27 So taking a little extra care to store food safely
01:30 and know when to dispose of it
01:32 will help make you a better, safer home cook.
01:34 I hope this answered your questions, and eat well.
01:37 (upbeat music)
01:39 (upbeat music)

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