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Food waste expert tells people to keep these 20 foods in your fridge in hot weather

Food waste expert Kate Hall has shared a list of foods that are commonly stored incorrectly - and her fridge storage tips could help cut down on food waste and keep your food fresher for longer

[Young Asian man using virtual assistance on smartphone to track fridge inventory, suggest recipes and handle grocery delivery. Smart home and smart living.]

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Common storage mistakes may cost you in the long run(Image: Oscar Wong via Getty Images)

With Britain combatting heatwave after heatwave this summer, food storage is now more important than ever - especially if you want to avoid waste.

One food waste expert has revealed all truths, sharing some surprising foods that you should actually be storing in your fridge, and not the cupboard. While some items that made the list may shock you, they have been selected with warm weather in mind.

According to research carried out by premium biscuit brand Bahlsen, 86% of brits admit they store more food in the fridge during the summer. Meanwhile, 68% confess that as a result some items have gone off quicker than they expected.

To cut down on unnecessary food waste, expert Kate Hall has put together an extensive list of foods she believes are commonly stored in the wrong place.

She said: "Food storage isn't as straightforward as many people think. We often make decisions based on habit or what our parents did, but factors such as temperature, humidity and exposure to light all affect quality.

"Some foods that people instinctively leave in the cupboard actually benefit from refrigeration, while others lose flavour, texture or quality if they're kept too cold."

[White and brown chicken eggs on a shelf of the refrigerator.]

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Most condiments should be kept in the fridge(Image: SimpleImages via Getty Images)

Surprising foods that belong in the fridge

Although eggs can perfectly well be kept at room temperature in the UK, the expert suggests they will "stay fresher for longer" when stored in the fridge. She argues that the fridge is "the best spot" to maintain a consistently cool temperature as the weather changes throughout the year.

Another surprisingly misunderstood item that she recommends storing in the fridge is the humble potato, following some confusion surrounding health and safety concerns. People traditionally kept potatoes in the cupboard due to worries about acrylamide, but the expert notes this has since been disputed by the Food Standards Agency.

Storing them in the fridge can allow them to last "up to three times longer", Hall claims, with sprouting and spoiling occurring at a much slower rate.

In a similar vein, the expert points out that apples continue to ripen after being picked, gradually turning softer and less juicy over time. Keeping them at a cool fridge temperature helps them remain crisp and fresh for considerably longer.

Perhaps the biggest bone of contention in the debate, however, is where condiments belong - are you storing your ketchup and mayo in the fridge or the cupboard?

Hall is clear that all condiments should be refrigerated once opened, helping to preserve both their colour and flavour.

[fresh vegetables stored in the refrigerator]

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She advises keeping nuts in the fridge(Image: Kilito Chan via Getty Images)

While these products typically contain high levels of sugar or salt, most packaging and storage instructions advise that once opened, bottles and jars should be popped straight in the fridge. Soy sauce also falls into this category, particularly if it isn't used on a regular basis.

One item on her list that might catch some people off guard is nuts, but she explains that their unsaturated fats are susceptible to oxidation when they come into contact with heat and oxygen. When their oil oxidises, they can turn rancid, but storing them in the fridge, or even the freezer, significantly slows down this process.

The complete list of foods that should ideally be kept in the fridge includes:

• Apples
• Seeds
• Wholemeal Flour
• Citrus Fruits
• Potatoes
• Peppers and Chillies
• Fresh Herbs
• Berries
• Cucumber
• Cut Melon and tropical fruit
• Condiments and sauces
• Jams and marmaldes
• Chutneys and pickles
• pure mayple syrup
• Soy sauce
• Eggs
• Butter
• Chocolate covered biscuits
• Crisps

Meanwhile, she also provided a list of foods that you should never automatically refrigerate, including tomatoes, bread and several other kitchen staples.

She explained: "Refrigeration can dull the taste of tomatoes and leave them with a mealy texture. If they are at risk of becoming overripe, you can store them in the fridge for a day or two and let them come back to room temperature before serving, but where possible, theyre best kept at room temperature."

As for bread, while she admits it helps the bread last longer and prevents mould from developing sooner, it does make your bread go staller much quicker. She advises that it's best stored in a bread bin or cool cupboard, and if you won't eat it in time, to put it in the freezer.

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