It’s all part of an experiment through which researchers have realized that poor refrigerator organization causes people to waste a lot of food. For this reason, Kohei Watanabe, a waste management researcher at Teikyo University in Tokyo, with the help of other researchers, has come up with some tricks to avoid this waste. For example, mark a section of the refrigerator dedicated to products that are close to expiration date or store fruits or vegetables in transparent containers so we can see if they are about to spoil and consume them before other products.
Trick: although it requires extra work, this helps maintain a stable humidity level, preventing both dehydration and excess moisture
A number of techniques are offered, as it’s not just about keeping the refrigerator organized, but also about not wasting food simply because it’s cluttered. One technique involves wrapping vegetables in a clean cotton cloth or slightly damp paper towel and placing them in an airtight container or resealable bag before storing them in the refrigerator. Although it requires extra work, this helps maintain a stable humidity level, preventing both dehydration and excess moisture that can cause mold.
As Okayama emphasizes, “I think noticing is very important”
Another trick the researchers introduced involved placing labels with images of two people holding hands under the message, “I can’t eat you. I’m so sorry.” They asked participants to place one of these labels on each piece of food they threw away and to take a moment to internalize the message. As Okayama emphasizes, “I think noticing is very important.” Every time you have to throw away food because it’s unpalatable, you can’t make it a normal or routine act.
Experts recommend keeping some food as potatoes, onions, apples… at room temperature
Experts also talk about how people need to become more informed about food storage to preserve it in the best possible way. Not all fruits and vegetables should be refrigerated. Experts recommend keeping potatoes, onions, squash, citrus fruits, apples, pears, apricots, and mangoes at room temperature. Okayama says, “Food spoils eventually, and it’s a risk to consume it, so we need to make sure we consume it before that happens,” adding, “But some fermented products taste better as they ripen”.
Tomoko Okayama: “Japan is a country that is not at all self-sufficient in its food supply”
On the other hand, vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, asparagus, and green beans, as well as delicate fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and grapes, do benefit from being stored in the refrigerator. Japan is a country with major food waste problems and faces even more pressure to find solutions because it imports almost two-thirds of its food. “Japan is a country that is not at all self-sufficient in its food supply,” says Tomoko Okayama.
It’s a matter of understanding that just because we have the ability to buy food doesn’t mean it’s okay to throw it away
In short, experts speak of the importance of raising awareness among people so they don’t waste food in their homes. They also point out that people don’t need to wait for government officials to take action. Anyone can use plastic trays, tape, and labels, no matter where they live in the world. It’s a matter of understanding that just because we have the ability to buy food doesn’t mean it’s okay if something expires and we have to throw it away.
