I think that food expire at a faster rate when it's outside in room temparature than it does in the fridge because the cold temparature that the fridge maintain will prevent the fungal growth.

Independent Variable

Temperature and humidity of the environment (fridge,counter, inside cupboard,beside sink )surrounding the food. I will collect this in degrees celsius using a thermometer. I will measure the humidity using a hydrometer app and the units for that will be g/kg.

Dependent Variable

Seeing the amount of fungal growth that has been grown onto each of the foods in each location. This will be measured with a ruler in centimeters every three days.

Controlled Variable

The type of food that is used in each test (bread, cheese, salad mix). Intervals that they are photographed at (everyday at 5pm). Temperature in each location will remain constant (same room temp, same fridge temp, same cupboard temp).

Measure the temperature and humidity in each location and ensure that they are different. 
Inside temperature 2 degree Celsius and room temperature 21 degree Celsius. Humidity-53% g/kg.
Take four sliced of expired , four slice of cheese and some salad mix.
Place each one in zip lock bag and level different location, total 12 bags.
Place one of each item(one piece of bread, some salad mix and one piece of cheese in cool dry area(Inside Cabinet)
DO the same with three bags of each item in room temperature(countertop).
DO the same with three bags of each item in cold temperature(inside fridge).
DO the same with three bags of each item in warm moist area temperature(near sink).
Level them by what area they are in and the date is expired. Expiration date-bread 20 th Jan,2024, Cheese 02 Jan 2024, Salad mix-20 Jan, 2024.
Observed the radial growth of fungus up to 20 days with interval of 3 days. taking measurement of growth in cm. with ruler.

Figure #1: Bar Graph of the Radial Growth of Fungus on Bread in Each Environment.Inside fridge temperature 2 degree celsius and room temperature 21 degree celsius. Humidity - 53% g/kg. Note- inside Fridge is zero. Expiration date 20 th January,2024

Figure #2: Bar Graph of the Radial Growth of Fungus on Cheese in Each Environment.Inside fridge temperature 2 degree celsius and room temperature 21 degree celsius. Humidity - 53% g/kg.Note- Inside fridge was zero.2nd january, 2024

Figure #3: Bar Graph of the Radial Growth of Fungus on Salad Mix in Each Environment

Inside fridge temperature 2 degree celsius and room temperature 21 degree celsius. Humidity - 53% g/kg. Note- inside fridge was zero.Expiration date- 20 January,20

• You can still consume food after its expiry date.
• After 7 days of expiration date, you can still consume bread if you put that in room temperature.
• If you put bread inside fridge, you can still eat bread up to 2 weeks or more.
• If you keep the bread in moist or room temperature area the more fungus will grow after expiration date.
• If salad leaf is kept inside fridge after expiration date then it will stay fresh with no spoilage up to two weeks or more.
• If left outside, it will spoil after 7 days or so.
• If you keep cheese after expiration date, inside fridge up to two week it will be fresh to eat.
• In moist area and room temperature fungus will grow in cheese 8 to 10 days.

• You can still consume food after its expiry date.
• After 7 days of expiration date, you can still consume bread if you put that in room temperature.
• If you put bread inside fridge, you can still eat bread up to 2 weeks or more.
• If you keep the bread in moist or room temperature area the more fungus will grow after expiration date.
• If salad leaf is kept inside fridge after expiration date then it will stay fresh with no spoilage up to two weeks or more.
• If left outside, it will spoil after 7 days or so.
• If you keep cheese after expiration date, inside fridge up to two week it will be fresh to eat.
• In moist area and room temperature fungus will grow in cheese 8 to 10 days.
• My hypothesis was correct because I had predicted that we can still consume food even after expiration date if properly stored.

• To help reduce food wastage in Calgary and globally.
• To help reduce Green house gas effect ( food goes to landfill that produce Mehane ,that effects the ozone layer).
• to educate consumer not to throw food just after expiry date.
• Saving money from sales tactis,

Next Steps

• I would try to experiment with other foods like canned food or some raw food.
• How many days does it take for the mold to completely cover the product in the fridge.
• How much stores use expiration date or used by date as sales tactic.  
• I want to conduct this experiment at an earlier time so I could experiment more.
• Look at the bacteria.

Bibliography

• Blair, N. (2024, January 4). Food Waste Statistics in Canada. Made in CA. https://madeinca.ca/food-waste-canada-statistics/
• Canada, A. and A.-F. (2020, November 19). Government of Canada Launches Food Waste Reduction Challenge . Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2020/11/government-of-canada-launches-food-waste-reduction-challenge.html
• GoodRx. (n.d.). How accurate are “best by” dates and other expiration date labels? GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/when-best-by-dates-packaged-foods-matter-most
• https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.3e2cc0e3924b010feaed937acd902a78?rik=PLtec%2bNq9OEUcw&riu=http%3a%2f%2fgetdrawings.com%2fcliparts%2fscared-clipart-36.jpg&ehk=6RNTf5emhDZdPUenRAFdsvBrgKZ8%2fIEokI1OtbrT5tw%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0. (n.d.). 
• Online.ucpress.edu. (n.d.). https://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article/59/4/220/15678/Fun-Microbiology-How-to-Measure-Growth-of-a-Fungus
• Tardi, C. (n.d.). What does expiration date mean for food and prescriptions drugs?. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/expiration-date.asp

Mr. Jason Rip and Mr. Mark Klassan-My science fair project  guide.

My Parents and my sister who help me and enjourage me to do this project.