If you store them correctly, your potatoes will last for 6 MONTHS
POTATOES don’t have to be on the weekly shopping list because a little-known storage method extends their shelf life.
Many people find that they replenish the cupboard with basic foods every one to two weeks.
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This is due to old guidelines that recommend that potatoes are best stored in a cool, dry and dark place.
However, it would be a mistake to follow this advice as it actually causes unnecessary food waste.
Research has shown that the vegetable can be kept for up to six months if stored in the refrigerator at less than 5 degrees Celsius.
British households waste around 80,000 tonnes of fresh potatoes every year because they are not used in time Love food, hate waste experts.
Throwing away half a million tonnes of fresh vegetables and salads, as well as a quarter of a million tonnes of fresh fruit, is estimated at £2.1 billion annually.
It was previously believed that potatoes stored in the refrigerator may contain increased levels of acrylamide during cooking.
Scientific research has refuted concerns that the chemical found in starchy foods may increase the risk of cancer.
The findings have been supported by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) and assessed by the FSA.
As with bananas, storing potatoes in the refrigerator extends their shelf life three times longer.
“Storing your spuds in the refrigerator doesn’t really increase the acrylamide potential compared to storing them in a cupboard at room temperature,” according to Love Food Hate Waste experts.
The Love Food Hate Waste campaign is run by the global environmental charity WRAP.
A study they conducted confirmed that expiration dates are not always accurate when determining the edibility of food.
The guidelines should be followed, but it is important to ensure that food is stored correctly so that it lasts as long as possible.
The advice on storing potatoes comes after it was revealed that many foodies are having difficulty emptying their tins of baked beans.
Fridge or cupboard? The essential guide to food storage
Food must be stored properly to keep it fresh and prevent the spread of bacteria.
Nutritionist Birgit Brendel said bread has a longer shelf life if kept in the refrigerator or freezer.
However, this can affect the taste.
Storing in ceramic or earthenware containers is an alternative that allows air to flow easily and slows the growth of mold.
Robert Morris, director of food safety consultants, Complete Food Safety, revealed the best place to store fresh fruit and vegetables.
He said salad foods should be kept in the fridge drawer, but away from anything growing in the ground, such as carrots, parsnips and beetroot.
Tomatoes are an exception to the rule, as refrigerators can alter the natural ripening process and reduce their flavor.
He also advised against storing avocados and bananas in the refrigerator, as this causes them to turn black more quickly.
Professor Charles Spence from the University of Oxford said beans “get stuck in unreachable corners” due to the shape of Heinz Beanz cans.
He said the best solution is to store the cans upside down to prevent them from settling at the bottom in the “rich and thick” sauce.
Heinz has unveiled upside-down tins to help people correct their baked bean storage mistakes.
The Limited Edition Upside Down Beanz costs £1.40 per can and can be purchased directly from the manufacturer’s website.
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