How to buy and store foods so they last longer

How to choose fresh foods that last longer

To choose fresh foods that last longer, you should select firm fruits and vegetables, without bumps or marks, to ensure that they are not too ripe. In addition, it is important to be very rigorous when separating them according to their sensitivity to ethylene: fruits that produce it, such as apples, bananas and avocados, should be separated from those that are sensitive to it, such as strawberries, watermelon, melon or grapes. This ensures that the ripening process is not accelerated.

It is also important to check the expiry date of meat, fish and dairy products and choose bread, nuts and cereals in intact and fresh containers. In general, it is important to maintain the cold chain and transport food in a suitable form to preserve its freshness.

Tips for storing food better at home

• Only buy what you are going to consume soon and plan the quantities.
• Choose firm fruits and vegetables, without bumps or marks.
• Store meat, fish and cooked products separately to avoid contamination.
• Keep raw and dairy products in the coldest part of the fridge.
• Store eggs in their original box, not in the door of the fridge, as this is the area that suffers the most temperature changes.
• Freeze small portions to consume as needed.
• Organise the fridge: the oldest at the front; new products behind them.
• Keep the refrigerator at ≤4 °C and the freezer at −18 °C.
• Avoid opening the fridge frequently to keep the temperature stable.

How long food can be kept in the freezer

Food can be stored in the freezer (−18°C) for much longer periods than in the refrigerator, although timescales vary according to the type of product: red meats and raw poultry last for between 6 and 12 months; minced meat and cooked dishes 2 to 4 months; fish 2 to 8 months, depending on their fat; fresh or cooked fruits and vegetables 8 to 12 months; bread and pastries 1 to 3 months, and dairy products such as butter or hard cheeses 6 to 9 months. To maintain quality, use airtight containers, freeze small portions and label with the date.

How long foods last in the fridge by type

Eggs

• Fresh eggs (with shell): 3-5 weeks
• Boiled eggs: 1 week

Meat

• Raw red meat: 3-5 days
• Cooked meat: 3-4 days
• Raw chicken and turkey: 1-2

Dairy products

• Open milk: 3-5 days
• Yoghurt: 1-2 weeks Fresh cheese: 5-7 days 
• Hard cheese: 2-3 weeks (or more)

Fish and  seafood

• Fresh fish and seafood: 1-2 days 
• Cooked fish: 3-4 days

Fruits

• Stone fruits (peach, plum, etc.): 3-5 days ripe
• Apple: 2-4 weeks

Vegetables

• Leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach, etc): 3-5 days
• Courgette, aubergine, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.: 4-7 days
• Carrot: 2-3 weeks