Why The White Spots On Top Of A Loaf Of Bread Could Pose A Risk To Your Health

When it comes to buying bread, there are a few things to consider. First of all, what kind of bread do you prefer from a taste standpoint? And of course, you want to factor in the nutritional factors. While many of us may have fond childhood memories of unhealthy store-bought bread like Wonder Bread, as far as nutrients go, you're far better off with artisanal bread that isn't mass-produced — the latter also tastes better.

But the problem with buying artisanal bread or any type of bread that has a dusting of flour on the top, is that sometimes it can make it difficult to figure out where the flour ends and mold begins. After all, some mold can appear as white spots which may seem innocent, but it's really not. Not only can certain molds lead to allergic reactions and breathing issues — that's why you should never smell mold — some mold can produce mycotoxins, according to a 2021 report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) — which may or may not toxic to humans. "Some are very benign. Some can be quite harmful," Christopher Scuderi, D.O., FAAFP told Parade. "The problem is there's no way really to tell without a lab."

While mold that's been specifically grown on cheese to give it flavor is totally fine, if you find mold on bread you should toss it. Even if it crosses your mind to simply cut off the moldy bits, it's important to realize that what you're seeing is just the tip of the iceberg and that mold is running deeper than your eye can see.

If you do accidentally take a bite of moldy bread, spit it out. Mold has a sort of dusty, mildew-like taste that will definitely not taste like bread. If you actually eat moldy bread before realizing it's moldy, then the first thing to do is not freak out. Letting your mind spiral down a rabbit hole of negative possibilities, many of which aren't even likely to happen, isn't doing anyone any favors. Instead, have a glass of water and breathe.

"When the immune system works well, and healthy gut flora is abundant, molds will have no negative impact on the health and wellness of that individual," Marina Yuabova, DNP, FNP told Shape. "In the case of people whose immune systems are weak, ingested fungal spores could cause more severe issues. When fungal invasion becomes systemic, the fungus can invade the digestive tract, upper respiratory tract, and brain." In other words, if you're not actively seeking out and regularly eating moldy bread, or any other moldy food, there's a good chance that you'll be fine.

The best way to prolong the shelf life of your bread is by keeping it in a place that's low in humidity. If you happen to live in a humid area, then putting your bread in an airtight container or wrapping it up very well and storing it in the fridge is another option — also make sure your refrigerator is cleaned often so as to prevent the buildup of mold and other types of bacteria. If you make your own bread, wait until it's completely cool before packaging it up so there's no chance of moisture encouraging the growth of mold on or in your bread.

Granted, you can't keep mold away forever. Eventually, it's going to make its way into your bread and any other perishables you have in your home, and the rate at which this will happen depends on how well the items are stored. Again, accidentally chowing down on moldy bread every once in a while isn't going to kill you, but it's still something you want to avoid, so keep an eye on your food, and at the first sight of mold, throw out your bread. As a porous food, you have no idea how deep those harmless-looking white spots go.