The Biggest Fridge Faux Pas Revealed: Confusion Over Food Storage Costs Brits As Households Estimate They Waste £88 of Vegetables Each Year*

Incorrect storage to blame with nation split on where to store their food, as everyday essentials spark a major fridge-versus-cupboard divide

Food waste is quietly draining household budgets across Britain – and much of it comes down to confusion over something as simple as how to store fresh vegetables. New research from Samsung reveals that the average household estimates they are losing £88 a year on spoiled vegetables.

For many people, the fridge has become a guessing game. More than half of Brits (56%) admit they’re unsure where different vegetables should be stored, and that uncertainty is coming at a cost. With over two thirds (68%) regularly throwing away produce that has spoiled prematurely, and only a third (33%) feeling they’re storing food correctly, it’s clear the nation is muddling through rather than feeling in control.

And the problem isn’t just down to habits. Sebastian Goff, Brand Marketing Lead at Samsung UK says: “Fridges that don’t maintain a consistent temperature throughout form part of the problem, leaving items at the back prone to freezing while others sit too warm. This inconsistency accelerates spoilage.”

As a result, people feel forced to eat food that’s not fully fresh to avoid waste, with 70% admitting they’ll “give it a go” even when vegetables show signs of going off

To help households achieve the stable environment fresh food needs, Samsung’s Twin Cooling Plus™ technology uses two separate air flows and precise temperature control to maintain optimal humidity levels in the fridge. This stops vegetables from drying out, prevents odours mixing, and keeps produce fresher for longer – helping to reduce the very waste so many households are struggling with.

And that confusion isn’t just costing money – it’s sparking conflict at home. A striking 71% of Brits say they have argued with someone over correct storage.

Carrots have emerged as the most divisive item in the storage debate, splitting the nation perfectly down the middle with 50% insisting they belong in the fridge and 50% arguing for the cupboard. Other everyday staples also spark strong disagreement, with several foods showing similarly dramatic fridge versus-cupboard divides:

“As households begin planning their festive meals and the shopping for them, the debate over where to store vegetables feels particularly timely,” continues Sebastian. “Proper storage can extend the life of vegetables by up to 50%^[1], but most people don’t know how to get it right, ending up wasting an equivalent of 37kg^[2] of potatoes every year – that’s over 200 portions^[3].”

The research also reveals that many people aren’t using their fridges to their full potential. Over one in four (26%) never adjust their fridge temperature at all, and almost half (42%) don’t use any of the specific settings designed to keep different items fresher for longer.

It’s no wonder 62% of Brits say they’d like a fridge that automatically tells them where to store their food. Confusion over the right way to store food is having a real impact on what ends up in the bin – often long before food should spoil. Everyday staples are taking the biggest hit, with vegetables like salad leaves, carrots and cucumbers forming the top three items most likely to be wasted.

THE UK’S TOP 10 MOST WASTED FOODS:

1. Lettuce / salad leaves
2. Carrots
3. Cucumbers
4. Tomatoes
5. Broccoli
6. Potatoes
7. Onions
8. Avocados
9. Peppers
10. Spinach

To help households reduce waste and minimise the cost of spoiled food, Samsung is highlighting the science behind food freshness.

Sebastian adds: “We want to help consumers take the guesswork out of refrigeration, so they can feel confident they’ve got the perfect environment for storing fresh food. Incorrect moisture levels are often the reason vegetables spoil prematurely, which is where features like Humidity Fresh+ can help. It automatically adjusts the moisture in the fridge by opening or closing a vent, keeping humidity at optimal levels for fresh produce, meaning families can save money, reduce waste and feel more confident in their kitchens.”

Formula for fresher food, for longer

1. Know your zones:
   Different areas of the fridge naturally run at different temperatures. The top and middle shelves are best for everyday items like cooked food, dairy and drinks, while the bottom shelf is the coldest, making it ideal for raw meat and fish. The door is the warmest spot, suited to condiments rather than fresh produce.

1. Humidity control matters:
   Green vegetables last longer in higher humidity, whilst root vegetables prefer dryer conditions. Keeping them in the crisper drawer helps maintain the right moisture levels – closing the vent for leafy greens and opening it slightly for produce that prefers drier conditions. Samsung’s Humidity Fresh+ drawer, available in all classic fridge and freezers, adjusts this automatically, removing the guesswork.

1. Don’t overpack:
   A fridge needs space for cool air to circulate. When it’s too full, warm patches develop and food spoils faster. Aim to keep your fridge no more than two-thirds full to maintain consistent cooling throughout.

1. Let technology guide you:
   Smart features can offer reminders, show the ideal place to store different foods and help maintain optimal temperatures. Samsung’s connected fridge technology is designed to make storage simpler, reduce waste and extend the life of fresh ingredients.

* £88 = average amount that is self-reported to be wasted on thrown away vegetables per household, per year based on research question asked ‘Approximately how much would you estimate you throw away in spoiled vegetables each month?’

[1] Modelling the impact of shelf‑life extension on fresh produce waste in UK homes, March 2025: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772912525000089?via%3Dihub

[2] £88 (Average amount that is self-reported to be wasted on thrown away vegetables per household, per year) / £2.32 (average UK retail cost of potatoes per kg) equals ~38kg (37.93) kg of potatoes per household. https://www.soilassociation.org/farmers-growers/market-information/price-data/horticultural-produce-price-data/

[3] Based on 37kgs of potatoes, one side portion is 150 g (0.15 kg):   n = 37/0.15 ≈ 246 portions