19 Questions
What is the main reason the author throws out food past its date?
They believe it will make them sick
Why does the author mention their experience with food poisoning?
To highlight the risks associated with consuming expired food
What is a significant consequence of the high level of food wastage mentioned in the text?
Financial loss for food growers and retailers
What percentage of fresh water in the US goes toward producing food that goes uneaten?
25 percent
What percentage of input to landfills in the US is food?
21 percent
Since 1974, by what percentage has per-capita food waste in landfills increased?
50 percent
What is a major contributor to wasted food, wasted revenue, wasted household income, and food insecurity?
Misunderstanding of expiration dates
What is a widespread practice regarding food and expiration dates?
Throwing out food based on the freshness label
What are the two vital facts to know about date labels on foods in the US?
They're not regulated and they're unrelated to food safety
What is the primary reason the author hesitates to eat food past its date?
The fear of getting sick from expired food
Why does the author mention the statistic that 40% of food produced in America is wasted?
To support the argument against throwing out food past its date
What does the author imply by stating 'You’ll probably never catch me dumpster-diving'?
The author has a strong aversion to searching for discarded food
What does the author's experience with food poisoning emphasize in the context of the article?
The potential dangers of consuming expired food
What is the main issue with the date labels on foods in the US?
They are often misleading and do not correspond to food safety.
Why does the author mention that state-level regulations make it difficult to donate past-date food to food banks?
To show how regulations contribute to food waste and insecurity.
What does Tamar Adler suggest is a significant influence on people's practice of throwing out food based on freshness labels?
The convenience culture and late-stage capitalism.
Why does the author state, 'When the date says it’s done, it’s done, right? Apparently, very wrong'?
To highlight the misconception regarding food expiration dates.
What does the text imply about the broader system surrounding the food waste problem?
It requires time, education, and a shift in consumption habits for a solution.
Why is it mentioned that researchers found that 'expiration' dates are mostly well-intentioned but haphazard and confusing?
To emphasize that confusion arises from good intentions but poor execution.
Study Notes
Food Waste and Expiration Dates
- The author throws out food past its date due to fear of food poisoning.
Food Poisoning and Waste
- The author mentions their experience with food poisoning to emphasize the importance of food safety.
Consequences of Food Waste
- A significant consequence of the high level of food wastage is that 40% of food produced in America is wasted.
Water and Landfill Contribution
- 25% of fresh water in the US goes toward producing food that goes uneaten.
- 21% of input to landfills in the US is food.
Increase in Per-Capita Food Waste
- Since 1974, per-capita food waste in landfills has increased by 50%.
Contributors to Food Waste
- A major contributor to wasted food, wasted revenue, wasted household income, and food insecurity is the widespread practice of throwing out food based on freshness labels.
Date Labels on Foods
- A widespread practice is that people throw out food based on expiration dates.
- Two vital facts to know about date labels on foods in the US are:
- They are not federally regulated and can be misleading.
- "Sell by," "use by," and "best by" labels are not related to food safety.
Author's Perspective
- The author hesitates to eat food past its date due to fear of food poisoning.
- The author implies that the widespread practice of throwing out food based on freshness labels is problematic.
Statistic on Food Waste
- 40% of food produced in America is wasted, emphasizing the significance of food waste.
Dumpster-Diving and Donating
- The author implies that they would never engage in dumpster-diving, highlighting the irony of food waste and food insecurity.
- State-level regulations make it difficult to donate past-date food to food banks.
Influence on People's Behavior
- Tamar Adler suggests that the "perfectly coiffed, appealing, and convenient" nature of food influences people's practice of throwing out food based on freshness labels.
Misconception about Expiration Dates
- The author states, 'When the date says it’s done, it’s done, right? Apparently, very wrong' to emphasize the misconception about expiration dates.
Broader System of Food Waste
- The text implies that the broader system surrounding the food waste problem is flawed and in need of reform.
- Researchers found that 'expiration' dates are mostly well-intentioned but haphazard and confusing.
Test your knowledge about food expiration dates and best practices for determining if food is still safe to eat. Learn about common misconceptions and best tips for reducing food waste.
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