Households adding to waste bill
A total of 12 million households are wasting the food they freeze because they do not know how long food can be stored, a study says.
According to research commissioned by frozen food manufacturer Birds Eye, 12 million households throw away usable food simply because they are not using their freezers properly.
Of the 1,064 people questioned, 85% underestimated the amount of time that frozen food could safely be stored.
Half thought frozen chicken and fish was unsafe to use after three months in the freezer, despite being safe for years.
Another 39%, or 9.5 million households, threw away food because they could not remember how long it had been in the freezer.
A study by the Government’s Waste and Resources Action Programme found that the average family throws away £610 worth of food every year.
Birds Eye managing director Anne Murphy said: "In the current economic climate consumers are looking for ways to cut costs and enjoy good food without the waste.
"We hope people will think twice to make sure they make the most of what is in their freezer, and that good, nutritious food does not end up in the bin."
Copyright © Press Association 2008
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