First In, First Out (FIFO)— a cost-saving method of rotating and storing food where the food that has been in storage the longest ("first in") should be the food that is used next ("first out"). Utilizing food before it spoils and maintaining an organized food storage system are both facilitated by this technique. Although it is a straightforward idea, following it can significantly lower food waste in food businesses and even at home specially this time of holiday season.

How does FIFO work? 

Simply storing food according to a category is insufficient. In FIFO, food should be stored in order of use-by date, from oldest to newest. Newer items should be placed at the end of the shelf, behind older foods, with the oldest foods in the most visible spot near the front shelf. This organization makes it easy to find foods and reduces the time required to stock items.

Why should we follow FIFO?

First In, First Out requires more work, but it is worthwhile. Older food is prevented from being pushed to the back where it could be forgotten or missed with the help of FIFO. Food is kept fresher by using FIFO to help you cycle through your inventory. This continuous rotation inhibits the formation of pathogens and mold. Through this, it may be able to increase food safety and freshness by keeping track of how long food is stored.

How to follow FIFO?

Here are things to remember when implementing the FIFO system:

• To make FIFO work, all food in refrigerators, freezers, and dry storage should be labeled with a use-by In the absence of a use-by or expiration date, one should label the food package with the day it was purchased and use that date as a storage reference.
• Food that is kept up front should always be used Place the products to be utilized first near the front of the inventory so they are readily accessible.
• Always place new supplies behind current stock to ensure that they are used in the proper
• To keep similar types of foods together, packages of the same food should be kept in the exact
• Verify the inventory to ensure that all the food is fresh, on the date, and in good Remove and discard it if it appears to be damaged or has expired.

The bottom line is, using the FIFO system allows you to work efficiently in the kitchen. Hence, you can save much time in finding your stored food quicker while maintaining its freshness and quality. Above anything else, always remember the most important storage practice - “when in doubt, throw it out”. Have a happy holidays by protecting you and your family from foodborne illness during this festive celebration mga Ka-nutrisyon!

(//Kezziah Allyson M. Ruperez, CMU On-the-Job Trainee)

REFERENCES:

Johnson,    E.    (2020).    How    to    use    a    FIFO    Food    Storage    System.    Retrieved    from https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/food-hygiene/using-fifo-food-storage-system/

Food Hero (2019). 4 Reasons to Practice FIFO. Retrieved from https://foodhero.com/blogs/practice-fifo

Haraminac, E. (2014). Keep food safe by implementing the “FIFO” system. Retrieved from https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/keep_food_safe_by_implementing_the_fifo_system#:~:text=FIFO%20i s%20%E2%80%9Cfirst%20in%20first,and%20use%20them%20more%20efficiently