I'm a skint dad, the barcode secret means your groceries will always be fresh and will last way longer

The Sun

2 days ago

SUPERMARKETS across the UK are changing the way we shop for fresh produce by removing "best before" dates from fruit and vegetables.
This initiative aims to reduce food waste and encourage shoppers to use their own judgement when deciding if their produce is still fresh.
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The move is designed to help families save money and lessen environmental impact, making it a positive step for both shoppers and the planet.
However, not everyone feels confident about this change, with some shoppers expressing concerns about not knowing when their fruit and vegetables are most likely to expire.
For those unsure, a TikTok user known as ' skintdad ' has shared a clever hack to decode the hidden freshness codes on produce packaging.
In a video shared with their 3,871 followers, they explained how to identify which items will stay fresher for longer.
The caption read: 'Use this simple hack to decode the best before dates on fruit and vegetables to make sure you get the freshest produce.'
The account revealed that instead of traditional "best before" dates, supermarkets in the UK now use a coded system on packaging.
These codes rely on letters that correspond to months of the year.
They explained: 'So A was January, B February, C March, D April and so on.
"So you know that if you see something that says D27 that stands for April 27th.
"You can use this to work out whether something is fresh or if you want to potentially leave it on the shelf and get something else.'
My budget's so strict I pray at the till on my food shop - this week I did it for a family of 4 for £100, here's my haul
For those hesitant about the removal of "best before" dates, this simple hack could be a game-changer when it comes to picking the freshest produce.
The video, originally shared last year, has since garnered 124.3k views, 1,951 likes, and 161 comments.
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Many viewers appreciated the tip, with one commenting: 'Oh great tip. Thanks.'
Another asked: 'What month is E11? On onions?' to which they replied: '11th May. But you'll generally find they last a lot longer.'
Foods must be stored correctly to keep them fresh and prevent the spread of bacteria.
Nutrition expert Birgit Brendel said bread will last longer when stored in the fridge or freezer.
However, this can compromise the flavour.
Storing in ceramic or pottery containers is an alternative that allows for air to flow easily and slow the growth of mould.
Robert Morris, managing director of food safety consultants, Complete Food Safety, revealed the best place to store fresh fruit and vegetables.
He said salad foods should be stored in the fridge drawer, but away from anything grown in the soil such as carrots, parsnips and beetroot.
Tomatoes are an exception to the rule as fridges can alter the natural ripening process and diminish their taste.
He also advised against putting avocados and bananas in the fridge as this will cause them to blacken quicker.