Supermarket giant Aldi has issued advice to customers who buy milk in its stores, revealing that the key to making it last longer without souring is not simply keeping it in the fridge. The discount retailer, which was again named the cheapest supermarket in May, just pipping fellow budget rival Lidl by a matter of pennies, has shared tips for various staple foods, including milk.
Freezing Milk for Extended Freshness
Last year, Aldi launched its Big Freeze campaign, urging customers to use their freezers to cut down on food waste. The supermarket teamed up with food waste expert Kate Hall, who said shoppers should use the freezer to make their milk last longer. Specifically, Kate recommends freezing milk in a sealable freezer bag in usable quantities. For those worried about milk splitting when defrosted, a quick blend should restore it to good as new.
Expert Tips for Storing Milk
Kate explained: “If you find your milk goes sour before you can use it, try storing it in the middle of the fridge instead of the door, it’s much colder here and can last up to three days longer! To avoid any leaks, pour half your milk (or more) into a reusable water bottle to lay flat.”
She added: “Or, if you need your milk to last longer, consider freezing it flat in a sealable freezer bag in usable quantities; this way it can be defrosted quickly in a dish of cold water. Some plant milks can be suitable for freezing too, but you should always check the packaging first to be sure. Don’t worry if your milk splits when defrosted, simply give it a quick blend and it should be good as new!”
Benefits of Freezing Food
Kate said: “Using your freezer is such a simple way to press pause on your food so it doesn’t end up in the bin. Freezing food can help our budgets stretch further, and you can actually freeze a lot more than people realise. The trick is knowing the best way to freeze food and what to do with it after freezing.”
Common Misconceptions About Freezing
New research by Aldi also found that eggs, cucumber, and lettuce were among the top foods that people never consider freezing, with as many as two thirds admitting they didn’t think they were suitable for it – despite this not being the case if prepared, frozen, and reused in the right way. Customers were also concerned about frozen food losing its flavour (25%) or that they wouldn’t like the texture after defrosting (36%).
Aldi's Commitment to Reducing Food Waste
Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “At Aldi, we’re committed to reducing food waste wherever we can across our supply chain, whether that be working with suppliers to cut down on waste, or marking down prices of items nearing their sell by date. Now we’re on a mission to help shoppers minimise their food waste too, while getting even more value from their Aldi groceries at the same time. It seems simple, but the research shows that freezing items still isn’t something many do – so we want to showcase just how easy that can be.”
