Eat or Toss? Rachael Jackson on Food Waste Myths

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🌱 Going Zero Podcast: Eat or Toss with Rachael Jackson

In this episode of Going Zero, we dive into the confusing world of food waste with Rachael Jackson, journalist, food waste educator, and founder of the award-winning website Eat or Toss. Rachael is passionate about helping people make informed decisions about whether food is still good to eat.

🥔 Eat or Toss: A Practical Approach to Food Waste
Rachael shares the origin of her website, which began when she started getting farm share boxes filled with unusual produce. Not knowing whether items like spotted apples or moldy tomatoes were safe to eat led her to research—and eventually launch Eat or Toss. The website now features a comprehensive database of odd-looking food with science-backed explanations.

🤔 Common Misconceptions About Food Safety
One of the most significant misconceptions Rachael addresses is about mold. Many people assume all mold is harmful, but that’s not always the case. According to USDA guidelines, hard foods with mold can often be saved by cutting around the affected area, while soft foods should be tossed.

📅 The Truth About Date Labels
Rachael also debunks myths about food date labels. Did you know that most dates are more about quality than safety? The only federally mandated “use by” date is for infant formula. Everything else can often be eaten past the date if it still looks, smells, and tastes okay.

🔍 Science-Backed Insights
Rachael’s commitment to accurate, accessible information means she consults experts—like microbiologists and food scientists—before publishing posts. Her most surprising discovery? The microbes that spoil our food are not the same as the ones that make us sick. Spoilage organisms make food look or smell unappetizing, but they don’t always pose a health risk.

💡 What’s Next for Eat or Toss?
Rachael is planning to expand her content, including a potential book based on her website’s insights. She’s also working on engaging more with her audience through social media while continuing to educate people about food safety and waste.

Catch the full episode to hear more from Rachael Jackson about how we can all reduce food waste at home!

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The Going Zero podcast of sponsored by Emerald Ecovations.