Can I Still Eat This?

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29 Nov 201604:17
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video script addresses the significant issue of food waste in America, where up to 40 percent of food ends up in landfills annually. It challenges the misconceptions around expiration dates, explaining that for many foods, these dates are quality indicators rather than safety warnings. The video provides practical advice on determining food safety, such as the use of senses to detect spoilage. It differentiates between ripe fruits, which are often still edible, and moldy foods, which can be hazardous due to mycotoxins. The script also touches on the spoilage of milk due to bacteria and emphasizes the importance of following safe food handling practices. It concludes with a humorous reminder about the perishability of certain foods and a recommendation for a helpful app called FoodKeeper, which provides guidance on food storage and longevity.

Takeaways
  • 🍌 Bananas and other fruits may look unappealing but are often still good to eat unless they show mold or are slimy.
  • 🍏 The browning of fruit is due to oxidation reactions when exposed to air, which doesn't necessarily mean the fruit is spoiled.
  • 🧀 Moldy food, especially on bread or fruits, should be discarded as mold can penetrate deeply and produce harmful mycotoxins.
  • 🧈 Pasteurization makes store-bought milk safe from harmful bacteria, but if it tastes sour, it's due to lactic acid produced by bacteria feeding on lactose.
  • 🥛 If milk or any food has an off smell or appearance, it's safer to discard it than to consume it.
  • 🍕 Not all foods are safe to consume after a long time, even if refrigerated; for instance, leftover pizza after two weeks is not edible.
  • 📅 'Expiration dates' on food are often about peak quality rather than safety, except for certain items like infant formula and deli meats.
  • 🛡️ Sealed and shelf-stable foods like canned goods can last for years without becoming unsafe to eat.
  • 🍇 Enzymes in fruits break down cell walls and starches into sugars as the fruit ripens, making it sweeter and usually safe to eat even when soft.
  • 🥦 For perishable items, if they smell or taste off, it's a clear sign they've gone bad and should not be consumed.
  • ⚖️ It's important to follow safe cooking and storage guidelines, especially for meat products, to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Q & A

  • What percentage of food in America is estimated to be wasted each year?

    -Approximately 40 percent of food in America is wasted each year.

  • How many pounds does the annual food waste equate to in the United States?

    -The annual food waste amounts to 133 billion pounds.

  • Why do people often throw away food that is still edible?

    -People often throw away food due to misconceptions about expiration dates, which are often just quality indicators and not safety indicators.

  • What is the role of enzymes in the ripening process of fruits?

    -Enzymes help speed up the breakdown of the cell walls in fruits, turning parts of the rigid plant cell walls into simple sugars like glucose, making the fruit sweeter as it ripens.

  • Why do fruits turn brown after being cut or exposed to air?

    -The browning is due to oxidation reactions where an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase oxidizes polyphenols in the fruit, turning colorless molecules into brown-colored ones.

  • What should one do when encountering mold on food items like fruits, vegetables, or bread?

    -If mold is present, it is generally advised to discard the food item, as mold can penetrate deep into the food and produce harmful mycotoxins.

  • Why does milk go bad over time?

    -Milk goes bad due to bacteria feeding on the sugar lactose in milk, producing lactic acid, which gives the milk a sour taste. Other bacteria break down fats and proteins into waste products that can taste unpleasant.

  • Is it safe to consume store-bought milk even after its expiration date, as long as it is pasteurized?

    -Yes, pasteurization significantly reduces the chance of harmful bacteria growth in store-bought milk, making it safe to consume even after the expiration date, provided it has been stored properly.

  • What is the FoodKeeper app, and what does it help with?

    -The FoodKeeper app is a tool developed by scientists at Cornell and the USDA that provides information on food safety, storage, and how long different types of food can be kept before they become inedible.

  • What is the recommended action if a hard cheese has mold on it?

    -For hard cheeses, it is safe to cut out the mold along with at least a 1-inch chunk of the food around it, as the mold does not typically penetrate deeply into hard cheeses.

  • Why are mycotoxins a concern when it comes to moldy food?

    -Mycotoxins are compounds produced by certain molds that can be harmful to humans, causing irritation, nervous system damage, and in severe cases, even cancer.

  • What is the general advice for handling food that looks or smells unusual?

    -If food looks or smells unusual, it is best not to consume it to avoid potential foodborne illnesses.

Outlines
00:00
🍌 Food Waste and Expiration Dates

This paragraph discusses the significant issue of food waste in America, where 40 percent of food ends up in landfills, amounting to 133 billion pounds annually. It highlights that much of this waste is due to misconceptions about expiration dates, which are often quality indicators rather than safety concerns, except for certain items like infant formula and deli meats. The paragraph emphasizes that many canned or shelf-stable foods can last for years, and for perishable items, one can usually determine spoilage by smell or taste. It also touches on the role of enzymes in ripening fruits, making them sweeter, and the process of oxidation causing browning on cut surfaces of fruits and vegetables.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Food Waste
Food waste refers to the discarding of edible food, which is a significant issue in America where up to 40 percent of food is sent to landfills. This is a central theme in the video, highlighting the environmental and economic impact of such wasteful practices. The script mentions '133 billion pounds' of food waste, emphasizing the magnitude of the problem.
💡Expiration Dates
Expiration dates are labels indicating when a food product is expected to be at its peak quality. The video clarifies that these dates are often misleading and not necessarily indicative of food safety, except for certain items like infant formula and deli meats. This concept is pivotal as it addresses common misconceptions leading to food waste.
💡Enzymes
Enzymes are biochemical catalysts that facilitate reactions by lowering the energy required for those reactions to occur. In the context of the video, enzymes are responsible for the ripening of fruit by breaking down cell walls and converting starches into sugars, which is why riper fruit is sweeter. The video uses the example of a mushy pear to illustrate this process.
💡Oxidation
Oxidation is a chemical reaction that involves the transfer of electrons or the addition of oxygen. The video discusses how oxidation causes browning in fruits and vegetables when they are exposed to air. An enzyme called polyphenol oxidase is highlighted as a key player in this process, turning colorless polyphenols into brown molecules, affecting the appearance but not necessarily the safety of the food.
💡Mold
Mold is a type of fungus that grows on various organic substances, including food. The video warns against consuming moldy food, as it can penetrate deeply and produce harmful mycotoxins. However, it also notes that not all molds are harmful, with some being intentionally used in certain cheeses. The presence of 'fuzzy stuff' on food items like bread or fruit is a clear sign to discard the food.
💡Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds under specific conditions. The video explains that these substances can cause irritation, damage to the nervous system and organs, and potentially lead to cancer. Mycotoxins are a reason why the video advises against eating moldy foods, despite some molds being harmless.
💡Bacteria
Bacteria are microorganisms that can cause food to spoil. In the context of milk, the video describes how bacteria feed on lactose, producing lactic acid and causing the milk to sour. While most bacteria in milk are harmless due to pasteurization, the video emphasizes the importance of safe cooking and storage practices to prevent harmful bacterial growth.
💡
💡Pasteurization
Pasteurization is a process used to kill harmful microorganisms in food products, such as milk, by heating it to a specific temperature. The video mentions pasteurization as a safety measure that reduces the chance of harmful bacteria growing in store-bought milk, thus ensuring its safety for consumption.
💡FoodKeeper App
The FoodKeeper App is a tool developed by scientists at Cornell and the USDA to provide information on food safety and storage. The video suggests this app as a helpful resource for consumers to determine if certain foods, like a slice of pizza, are still safe to eat, emphasizing responsible food management and reduction of waste.
💡Perishable Foods
Perishable foods are those that have a limited shelf life and can spoil quickly if not stored properly. The video distinguishes perishable foods from shelf-stable ones, noting that the latter can remain safe for years if sealed properly. Perishable items like fruits and meats are highlighted as needing careful handling to prevent waste.
💡Food Safety
Food safety involves handling, storing, and preparing food in a way that prevents foodborne illnesses. The video stresses the importance of food safety by advising viewers to discard moldy foods and follow safe cooking and storage guidelines. It also suggests that if food 'looks or smells really weird,' it should not be consumed.
Highlights

Approximately 40 percent of the food in America is wasted each year, amounting to 133 billion pounds.

A significant portion of food waste is due to discarding food that is still edible.

Expiration dates are often misleading and are suggestions for peak quality rather than safety.

For most foods, except infant formula and deli meats, expiration dates are not related to food poisoning risks.

Expiration dates are not usually based on current scientific evidence.

Shelf-stable foods in sealed cans can remain safe for years.

Perishable food can be assessed for edibility by checking for unusual smells or tastes.

Soft fruits may still be good to eat despite their appearance due to enzymatic processes.

Enzymes convert plant cell walls into simple sugars, making riper fruit sweeter.

Soft, ripe fruit is generally safe to eat unless mold or sliminess is present.

Oxidation reactions cause browning in cut fruits and vegetables, but they are still safe to eat unless they taste off.

Moldy food should generally be discarded, as mold can penetrate deep into the food and produce harmful mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are chemicals produced by certain molds that can cause health issues, including cancer.

In hard cheeses, it is safe to cut out the mold and a small portion around it.

Bacterial growth in milk leads to souring and spoilage, but most bacteria are harmless and pasteurization reduces the risk.

Safe cooking and storage guidelines are crucial, especially for meat products.

FoodKeeper, an app from Cornell and the USDA, provides information on food safety and storage.

Leftover pizza should not be consumed after two weeks in the fridge.

Transcripts

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Food WasteExpiration DatesFood SafetyRipe FruitMold HazardMilk SpoilageFood ScienceConsumer AwarenessFood PreservationHealth TipsKitchen Wisdom