More

    FSA survey reveals level of worry around the cost of food

    A customer looks at packages of chilled chicken cuts in a half-empty refrigerated display unit at a Lidl supermarket store in Walthamstow, west London, on September 21, 2021. (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

    Some people are taking food safety risks because of money pressures and rising energy costs, a new survey by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has found.

    The September data from the agency’s Consumer Insights Monthly Tracker has found that 40 per cent of participants reported feeling worried about being able to afford food in the next month.

    Echoing a recent Which? survey, 30 per cent of participants reported that they had skipped a meal or cut down the size of their meals because they did not have enough money to buy food in the last month.

    Almost one-third reported that they had eaten food past its use-by date, at least once in the past month, because they couldn’t afford to buy more food.

    18 per cent of participants turned off a fridge and/or freezer containing food, at least once in the last month, to reduce energy bills and save money.

    “We know many people are worried about food affordability right now and our evidence shows that people are finding ways to save money where they can. It’s not a good idea to turn off the fridge or eat food past its use-by date as these things can lead to a higher risk of you becoming ill with food poisoning,” Emily Miles, FSA chief executive, said.

    “Your fridge is a useful appliance that not only keeps your food safe, but can help cut down what you end up throwing out. Keeping your fridge cold enough, 5°C or below, will prevent bacteria from multiplying on your food and make it last as long as it can. You should also keep food with a ‘use by date’ in the fridge and think about freezing it on or before the day of the date if you’re not going to use it.

    “We’ve got lots more advice on our website to help people use their judgement and make informed choices, while staying safe.”

    The FSA has also shared some tips to stay safe while making their food go further and saving money.

    • Keep your fridge on to help keep you well and make your food go further
    • Using your fridge at the correct temperature  (5 C or below) helps prevent food poisoning.  If food isn’t properly chilled it could go off faster and be unsafe to eat
    • A use-by date on food is about safety. This is the most important date to remember. You can eat food until and on the use-by date but not after. You can also freeze food with a use-by date right up to the end of the date on the label
    • Best Before is about quality. The food can be safe to eat after this date – but it might not be at its best.
    • Set your freezer to -18°C. This temperature delays chemical reactions within foods and puts bacteria “on pause”, allowing us to keep food longer

    The agency’s home fact checker has more tips on how to help make food go further and stay safe.

    Latest

    Highland Spring’s new flavoured still water range

    Highland Spring is entering the flavoured still water category...

    Coventry Nisa Local donates £2,000 to local children hospice

    Nisa Local Riley Square in Coventry has donated £2,000...

    Edgware c-store fined for selling vapes to underage

    A business in Edgware has been ordered to pay...

    Fruit-tella expands chews range with new Berries & Cherry Stick

    The world’s second largest sugar confectionery manufacturer, Perfetti Van...

    Don't miss

    Highland Spring’s new flavoured still water range

    Highland Spring is entering the flavoured still water category...

    Coventry Nisa Local donates £2,000 to local children hospice

    Nisa Local Riley Square in Coventry has donated £2,000...

    Edgware c-store fined for selling vapes to underage

    A business in Edgware has been ordered to pay...

    Fruit-tella expands chews range with new Berries & Cherry Stick

    The world’s second largest sugar confectionery manufacturer, Perfetti Van...

    Brothers confirmed as Glastonbury Festival official cider – win tickets

    Brothers Drinks Co. has signed a new contract to...

    Coventry Nisa Local donates £2,000 to local children hospice

    Nisa Local Riley Square in Coventry has donated £2,000 to Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice through their Making a Difference Locally (MADL) fund. Zoe’s Place Baby...

    Edgware c-store fined for selling vapes to underage

    A business in Edgware has been ordered to pay over £5,000 for selling vapes to children for the second time. According to local reports,...

    Brothers confirmed as Glastonbury Festival official cider – win tickets

    Brothers Drinks Co. has signed a new contract to continue its long-standing association as the Official Cider of Glastonbury Festival, the world’s largest greenfield...