Best-before date & expiration date: the subtle difference

A glance at the packaging and the printed date might seem enough to determine whether a product is expired or not. It's usually not that simple. Look closely at the date and pay attention to which type of consumption information it is labeled with.

Best-before date: Up to the indicated date it is guaranteed that the product retains its original characteristics in appearance, consistency and ingredients. It is up to you to store the food correctly until that time. Even after the date has passed, the food can still be enjoyed. You should only inspect it carefully after opening. Does the bread or cheese still smell good? Does it look the same as before the best-before date and taste fine? Then you can eat it without worry.

Use-by date: You should avoid eating meat and fish after the use-by date has passed. Harmful germs and bacteria can multiply quickly here.

Expired food for children?

As an adult you can trust your senses, look closely at the food and then decide. Many parents worry about whether they should still give expired food to their children. Trust your nose and eyes and, if necessary, try a small piece of cheese or a spoonful of pudding. If the food tastes and smells normal, your child will usually tolerate it as well. If your child has a sensitive stomach, you should be more cautious. In that case it's better to eat the expired yogurt yourself and give your child a fresh one.

Should this go in the fridge? How do I store food correctly?

To keep food fresh for as long as possible, it's helpful to store it according to your needs. Buy as fresh as possible at the supermarket and put your groceries in the fridge immediately afterwards.

Fruit: As a rule of thumb, remember that local fruits like apples or cherries generally need cooler storage, while exotic fruits should be kept at room temperature. Exceptions include, for example, kiwis or figs, which are better stored in the refrigerator. Also watch for bruises on fruit and eat those first.

Vegetables: Store your vegetables in the fridge so they last as long as possible. Exception: potatoes, pumpkins, tomatoes or eggplants will keep longer if stored at room temperature.

Dairy products: Butter, yogurt, milk & Co. definitely belong in the refrigerator. If possible, they are best stored on the middle shelf.

Fish & meat: Buy these foods preferably just before consumption and don't store them in the refrigerator for longer than one to two days. They belong on the bottom shelf, where it is usually coldest.

Leftovers: If something is left over in the evening, someone will surely appreciate the extra portion of pasta with sauce the next day. Remove both from the cooking pots and store the food in a shallow, closed container on the top level of the refrigerator.

Avoiding waste – what do I really need?

• Shopping list & meal plan: Before shopping, make a plan of what you want to cook during the week and which ingredients you'll need. Then add some extra fruit and vegetables and a few tasty extras to the list and your shopping will not only be faster, but will probably also be cheaper.

• Avoid bulk packs: Offers like 2 for 1 or 30% extra sound tempting. But consider whether you will actually use the amount. If you end up throwing away half of it, you haven't really saved anything.

• Use leftovers: Bought too much or something left over from the previous day? Don't throw the food away immediately; be creative and turn it into something new. If you need some help with that, there are numerous cookbooks, recipes on the internet or, for example, the app 'Too Good for the Bin' from the Federal Ministry of Food, which suggests delicious dishes made from leftovers.