Can You Eat Moldy Bread If You Toast It?

Perhaps you do not like to waste food, or you do not have time to go to the grocery store. You are looking forward to a sandwich, but notice there is mold on the bread.

If you are wondering “Can you eat moldy bread if you toast it?” the answer is that it is not a good idea. 

Why Is Toasting Not Effective On Moldy Bread? 

Toasting your bread will not kill all of the molds. In fact, it can cause the problem to worsen. When the bread is heated, more mold spores are released.

Not only will this make the bread more dangerous to eat, but the spores can also be harmful to everything in your kitchen. Invisible mold spores can get on other foods, on utensils and plates, and on cookware.

If you toast moldy bread, the spores can contaminate your toaster, too. If you use the toaster at a later time to toast fresh products, it can affect the safety of those products. 

The spores can also affect the indoor air quality, making your home an unhealthy environment. 

Toasting moldy bread will also affect its taste. It will taste very unpleasant, instead of fresh. All toasting will accomplish is stopping further mold growth.

The mold that is already in the bread will continue to be in it.

Why Is It Harmful To Eat Moldy Bread? 

Moldy bread is contaminated with toxins, whether it has been toasted or not. Cutting the mold off the bread will not reduce the dangers to your health.

The thread-like roots of mold can reach farther into the bread, and cannot be seen.

Mold contains fungal toxins known as mycotoxins. Food poisoning is one complication that can occur. Even if you are otherwise healthy, you may develop a variety of gastrointestinal problems, as well as a fever.

For individuals who already have issues with their immune systems or various other health problems, it can be extremely dangerous to consume the fungal toxins in moldy bread. 

For the average person, it is impossible to know which type of mold is in the bread. While no mold is healthy, some strains are more dangerous than others.

If you toast moldy bread and eat it, you are taking unnecessary chances with your health. 

What Should You Do With Moldy Bread? 

You should never eat moldy bread, even if it has been toasted. Do not feed it to your pets. The most useful approach to moldy bread is to add it to your compost pile.

Place it in the center of the pile, and cover it with leftover grass when you mow your lawn. It will start to decompose, and be ready when you need compost in the springtime. 

While composting is environmentally friendly, you may not have this option. Perhaps you do not have space outdoors for a compost pile, or you live in an apartment.

Carefully wrap the bread, and dispose of it in an appropriate container. 

How Moldy Is Too Moldy? 

For the sake of your health, avoid the approach that there is not much mold on the bread. Do not deceive yourself into believing it is safe.

Mold does not need to be extensive or have a horrible odor, in order to be harmful to your health. 

Make a habit of checking bread for mold.

If there is any sign of mold at all, use it for compost or throw it away. No matter how hungry you are, it is not worth risking your health. 

How Can You Stop Bread From Becoming Moldy? 

Bread and other baked goods will not last forever, but some tips can reduce the risk of mold. Light, humidity, and heat all increase the risk.

Choose an appropriate bread box, and keep it in a cool, dark place where the humidity level is low. 

Your refrigerator is not the place for bread. The moisture can actually increase the risk of mold. However, if you do not plan to eat the bread within a few days, it can be safely stored in your freezer.

Make sure the bread is cool and dry. Do not freeze your bread while it is still warm, because the moisture can spoil the bread. Wrap it in two plastic bags, and seal the bags with masking tape. Mold will not grow in bread when the bread is frozen. Thaw and eat it as soon as possible.

How Long Does It Take For Mold To Grow On Bread? 

Under ideal conditions, bread can last for days before the taste is affected or mold develops. Ideal conditions include where and how you store your bread. 

The type of bread is another factor. First, if it is the bread you baked in your own kitchen, it can mold faster than bread that was purchased in a store. This does not mean store-bought bread is better. It can last a little longer because it contains preservatives. 

Second, white bread and fruit bread mold faster because they are naturally moist and contain larger amounts of sugar. Both of these factors help mold grow in the bread.

White bread is especially vulnerable because it also has a high starch content. Starch breaks down into sugar, creating the perfect environment for mold to grow. 

How To Have Healthy, Delicious Bread Without Mold? 

The healthiest, most delicious bread you will ever have comes from your own kitchen. If you take these few safety precautions for storage, you will not have much concern about mold.

Eat the bread within a few days, or freeze it after it has baked and cooled. 

The only advantage of store-bought bread is it eliminates home baking. After you have baked your own, though, you will definitely prefer homemade bread.

You can avoid all of the preservatives and other added ingredients that you do not want to eat. The bread you bake yourself will be fresh, natural, and nutritious. 

There is nothing quite like homemade bread for meals with your family, entertaining guests, or taking sandwiches to work or school.

After you have baked your first loaf, you may never want to buy bread from the grocery store again. When you do not need to worry about mold, every slice you eat or serve will be fresh and tasty.