What Should You Do With Moldy Bread?

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

If bread sits out for more than a couple days, it gets stale. Once that happens, bread mold isn’t far behind. Putting bread in the fridge can slow the growth of mold, but eventually, it will invade your food there as well. Let’s look at why mold grows on bread and other foods and examine what you can do about it.

Why Does Mold Grow on Bread?

Believe it or not, mold spores are everywhere. They don't pose a problem in your home in Todd Creek, CO unless the spores begin to grow into larger mold clusters. Mold is a member of the family of fungi, which also includes mushrooms. Since fungi’s energy source is from plants and animals, it thrives in the kitchen. Mold loves many foods, especially those found in warm, moist areas.
Bread mold is quite common because of bread’s ingredients. Yeast, sugar, and flour are all elements that attract mold. Soft fruits, such as berries and peaches, also attract fungus growth because of their sugar content and their soft, fleshy surface.

What Should You Do With Moldy Bread?
To discourage mold from growing, keep bread on the counter for a day or two. It can be kept in the fridge for about another week. To prevent fridge mold, if you don’t plan to eat the full loaf within a week, store it in the freezer.
If the bread is already moldy, do the following:

• Place the entire loaf of bread in a paper or plastic bag, and throw it in a trash can that is securely covered.
  
• Spray the entire area with disinfectant and wipe dry with a discardable rag or paper towel.
  
• Inspect any other food nearby and discard it if you see any mold.
  
  

Don’t hesitate to call a mold remediation specialist if you suspect that mold has grown on other surfaces.
By staying vigilant, you can keep bread mold away from your kitchen.