Let's keep our cool and cut down on food waste

Irish Examiner

7 hours ago

Not just to swing it open so we can plunge our faces in for a blast of blessed cool factor (or a sneaky spoonful of ice-cream from the freezer compartment). Fess up and hands up if, like me, you sometimes stash your lotions and potions in the fridge side by side with soup?
And in heatwaves, post-sun, gel-based products feel oh-so-soothing when applied cold. Eleanor Martin, showroom manager at Home of Innovation, Dublin, agrees. 'I regularly hear of everything from aloe vera gel to toothpaste being kept chilled — it's a growing trend that really highlights how personal refrigeration needs have evolved,' she tells Home.
Almost two-fifths of respondents to a survey carried out by Home of Innovation store non-food items like cosmetics alongside their casseroles.
Yes, fridges are designed to keep our food fresh, but many of them are now doubling up as beauty cabinets. Hold on to your lash curlers, as this next stat is eye-opening enough in itself — 39% of Irish adults admit to sliding non-edibles such as eye masks, face cream, nail polish, and even toothpaste among their yoghurts. Refrigerating them can expand the lifespan of many cosmetics (maybe hold off on the foundation, though).
So, surely not the worst crime? 'It's fascinating to see just how multifunctional fridges have become in modern homes. We're seeing more and more people using them not just for food, but for beauty and wellness too,' says Eleanor.
But as temperatures soar, the chilling truth is we're all misusing the fridge. Because overall, the nationwide report, examining the fridge habits of 1,000 Irish adults, gives food for thought — literally.
The research, carried out by BSH Ireland, Home of Innovation, reveals surprising statistics — including the fact the majority of people admit to wasting food every week, largely due to not knowing how to organise or stock their fridge correctly.
Nearly half (45%) of those surveyed have discarded spoiled food due to confusion or misuse of their freezers.
Seventy-one per cent of respondents waste food, with the annual cost of this waste reaching almost €700 per household.
More than half of respondents store dairy products on the bottom shelf, an area intended for raw meat because of its colder temperature, notes Eleanor.
Worse still, 28% keep dairy products in the fridge door, the most temperature-unstable zone, where frequent openings can quickly cause products to go off.
The problems extend beyond the fridge. Nearly half (45%) of those surveyed have discarded spoiled food due to confusion or misuse of their freezers. 'Air exposure is a major culprit — if food isn't properly packaged, air can seep in and cause dehydration,' says Eleanor.
'Opting for airtight containers and freezer-safe wrapping is essential.'
Nearly three in four (70%) Irish households are unaware their fridge and freezer could be responsible for up to a fifth of their total energy costs.
Furthermore, nearly three in four (70%) Irish households are unaware their fridge and freezer could be responsible for up to a fifth of their total energy costs, highlighting the need for both appliance maintenance and timely upgrading to more energy-efficient models for long-term savings.
Brian McMenamin, director, BSH Ireland, Home of Innovation (BSH stands for Bosch, Neff and Siemens — all brands belonging to Home of Innovation), adds it's 'vital' to get the best out of appliances'.
'Our research uncovered many common trends are costing Irish households, but with the right appliances and a few small tweaks, lower energy bills and less food waste could be at your fingertips.'
Fridge organisation tips
The top shelf often has the most consistent temperature, but it's not the coldest part of the fridge, so it's ideal for leftovers, and dairy products like milk, yoghurt and cheese.
Keep your cooked meats, deli items and hummus on the middle shelf.
Raw meat, fish, or poultry should always go on the bottom shelf to prevent drips and contamination.
The fridge door is the warmest part of the fridge, so best for storing condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayo, jams, and hot sauces.
Most modern fridges have crisper drawers designed to control humidity and airflow, so put them to use and maintain the freshness of fruits and vegetables.
First in, first out — try to rotate older items to the front as a reminder to use them.
Don't overfill — air needs to circulate for proper cooling.
Keep fridge at 4C — that's the ideal chilling temperature.
See Homeofinnovation.ie.