It’s only been a few days, but your bread is already moldy.
Can you slice off the mold and eat the rest?
Jenny Dettrick / Getty Images
I lovebread.
Jenny Dettrick / Getty Images
Theres always a loaf sitting in a bread basket on my kitchen counter.
Im often tempted to toss the moldy slices and keep eating the rest.
But is that safe?
Lori Rice
Heres what the experts say about eating moldy bread and the best way to keep it fresh for longer.
What Exactly Is Mold?
Molds areteeny tiny fungithat can grow and flourish on plants, animals, and foods like bread.
Basic Cuban Bread made simply with bacon fat (grease or base) for a richer flavor.Credit: Dana Hoff
It has been shown to causerespiratory issues and allergic reactions.
Some molds even produce toxic substances called mycotoxins, which can make you very sick.
The longer its exposed to oxygen in the air, the more likely bread will mold.
Lori Rice
It may also become moldy faster in humid conditions, due to the extra moisture in the air.
Breads shelf life is approximately three to four days at room temperature.
Mold may grow if left out for longer than that.
Is It Safe To Eat Moldy Bread?
The problem is thatmoldpenetrates deep into foods.
For some foods, like hard cheeses and firm produce, its hard for mold to spread its roots.
In those cases, its OK to cut out the moldy spots, but not with bread.
Dandrea-Russert says she never eats bread when theres mold anywhere on the loaf.
First, molds can produce mycotoxins, which can spread easily and are toxic to human health.
Second, I know that I am allergic to mold and I also have asthma.
Knowing that mold can trigger allergy and asthmatic symptoms, I steer clear away from it, she says.
Finally, there is research showing that certain types of mold that grow on breadmay disrupt gut health.
For that reason, when I see mold on bread, it goes into the compost.
Just confirm to remove the bread from its packaging before you place it in the bread box.
you’re free to separate bread slices with unbleached parchment paper so they dont stick together.
