The experts at Which? have delved into the question about whether packaging helps to keep vegetables fresh in the fridge. In a recent TikTok video, Which? looked at a variety of different vegetables and how plastic packaging can impact the longevity of freshness.
Packaging can significantly impact the freshness of vegetables by influencing factors like respiration, moisture loss, and protecting from spoilage. Orange Packaging noted that the correct packaging should allow the vegetables to breath, allowing them to release gases and moisture as part of their normal respiration. They noted that if plastic wraps or films are applied incorrectly, they can create the very condensation that can lead to mould growth or even product spoilage.
In a recent TikTok video, Which? said: “Why do some vegetables go off so quickly? It all comes down to ripening, environmental factors, and packaging. For example, a cucumber wrapped in plastic stays fresh for about 14 days compared to just five days unwrapped.”
They warned that there are a few vegetables which should never be kept in plastic packaging, including potatoes and onions.
Which? continued: “Root vegetables like potatoes and onions are two more foods that should be kept completely out of plastic as it traps moisture and leads to sprouting or mould.”
They also warned that leafy greens last longer in perforated bags or in damp paper towels.
Mushrooms and tomatoes will spoil faster if wrapped in plastic, due to trapped moisture and ethylene gas buildup.
The video has been viewed over 33,600 times. A number of people disagree with what the experts at Which? were saying, especially when it comes to storing carrots.
@jaywolfy said: “I totally disagree. Carrots should be removed from plastic and dried with towel and then kept as potatoes. Otherwise they get moldy within a week.”
Jasper continued: “What about carrots? I once had a bag of carrots go mouldy in just a few days but when left unwrapped from plastic they lasted longer. but that video at the beginning suggests otherwise.”
Peter wrote: “Why haven’t you mentioned that paper bags work better for mushrooms? Many veg such as potatoes keep best in the dark. I don’t think these are the best tips…”
