Why does bread get moldy and is it possible to cut off the mold and eat the rest: doctor's advice

Many have had an unpleasant experience with bread, when a newly purchased product quickly becomes covered with mold. In such a situation, there's a temptation to cut off the moldy piece and eat the rest, as it's a shame to throw away a whole loaf. But this shouldn't be done.

As reported by BAKU.WS, dietitian Evgenia Rozum told UNIAN editorial staff about the rules for storing baked goods. The expert explained why bread gets moldy and stale, whether it can be eaten in such cases, and how harmful it is to the body.

Why bread quickly becomes stale or moldy

How to store bread so it doesn't mold or get stale

What happens if you eat moldy bread

What to do with moldy or stale bread

Why bread quickly becomes stale or moldy

Bread spoils primarily due to improper storage conditions. In the past, baked goods weren't stored in plastic bags, but now we both buy them in supermarkets in plastic and very often leave the product in this packaging. It is because of such storage that bread molds faster, as favorable conditions are created:

There is enough moisture for mold development. It stays in the bag rather than evaporating.

The product contains nutrients - carbohydrates that "feed" the mold.

Bacterial spores that later grow on the dough are everywhere, including in the air, so we cannot completely protect the product from them.

It's worth noting that from today until tomorrow, bread stores normally in bags, meaning it won't get moldy. But if the loaf sits in the sun or near warm objects, for example, radiators, condensation will appear in the plastic, and such a product will spoil faster.

The expert called bread becoming stale a normal phenomenon, as it interacts with the environment. Moisture, which keeps it soft, simply evaporates from it.

The product will dry out faster if we just leave it open on the table.

The doctor also explained why bread gets stale in paper bags - because paper absorbs moisture. If you left a loaf in such packaging, you need to eat it by tomorrow, otherwise it will dry out.

How to store bread so it doesn't mold or get stale

For baked goods to stay fresh longer, they need to be stored in packaging that ventilates. Let's remember how this product used to be kept: either in linen bags or wrapped in linen cloth. The fabric "breathes," meaning there is access to oxygen, the dough doesn't "steam" and conditions for mold growth aren't created.

Therefore, bread should be stored in linen bags, in towels that you specially designate for this purpose, or in bread bins with air holes, or wrapped in clean fabric. But you shouldn't store too much bread, otherwise it will spoil.

If you follow these rules, you will have a fresh product for several days. Of course, the loaves won't be as fluffy as when just out of the oven, but they will remain suitable for consumption.

The doctor also explained whether bread can be stored in the freezer. If you have extra slices, or you want to stock up, then it's better to freeze the product. It's best to do this in portions - cut it