Supermarkets Aldi and Tesco have both shared vital guidance for banana buyers on how to prevent the fruit from turning brown and soft. Aldi has partnered with food storage specialist Kate Hall to advise customers on the best ways to preserve everyday staples, including milk, potatoes and bananas.
Freezing Bananas to Reduce Waste
Kate Hall said: "Let's face it, we can't always make banana bread every time a bunch gets past its best. But if you can spare 30 seconds to peel, slice and freeze bananas, you can avoid them going to waste."
She added: "Just spread them out on a lined tray before freezing so that they don't clump together, and then store them in a resealable freezer bag. These are perfect for making banana ice cream or chocolate peanut butter bites!"
Extending the Freezer Hack to Other Fruits
Hall also noted: "You can use the same approach to save lots of other fruits and veggies too, for example, cucumbers can be sliced and frozen to be used instead of ice cubes, added to smoothies, or even blitzed into a refreshing sorbet."
She emphasised the broader benefits: "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."
Tesco's Advice on Freezer Efficiency
The Tesco website states: "Freezers are the most efficient when they are full, so make the most of the space to prevent food waste and have ingredients ready to go."
Courtney Pallett, Tesco campaigns manager, added: "Your freezer is your friend when it comes to reducing food waste and avoiding throwing food away. Most of the foods that often end up in the bin such as bananas and avocados can be saved by freezing them to use later."
Tesco advises: "Peel ripe bananas and freeze whole or in slices. These can be used straight from the freezer, perfect for cold, thick smoothies or snacking on."
