What is the shelf life of bread and bakery products according to GOST

Bread belongs to the group of products that cannot be stored for a long time. It is recommended to eat flour products as quickly as possible, since the shelf life of bread is very limited. The longer it is stored, the worse all its qualities become, especially taste. Staleness, loss of unique aroma, severe crumbling when cutting - all these are consequences of the expired shelf life. In addition, if the maintenance rules are violated, it can become moldy, and toxins harmful to health are formed in the delicate crumb.

According to GOST

To control the quality of bakery products, a number of state standards and rules have been adopted:

1. GOST 27842-88 “Bread made from wheat flour. Technical Specifications" contains requirements for various types of bread products, appearance, and organoleptic properties.
2. GOST 27844-88 “Bakery products. Technical specifications” lists what chemical biological products must comply with, their appearance, and composition.
3. GOST 2077-84 “Rye, rye-wheat and wheat-rye bread. Technical conditions".
4. GOST 26983-2015 “Darnitsa bread. Technical conditions".

SanPiN 2.3.4.3258-15, which were in force until September 2015, have been cancelled, new ones have not been adopted.

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Secrets of proper bread care

In order for the loaf to remain soft for a long time, the place where it is stored should be kept clean and air circulated with a minimum of moisture. How to take care of your bread storage:

• daily clean the inside of the container from crumbs by wiping the surface with a dry towel, you can use a paper napkin;
• wash the bread box weekly with soap and water (if the material allows), then treat it with a 1% solution of acetic acid and let it dry thoroughly;
• It is advisable to cover the bottom of the container with clean paper or cloth; they are changed once a week - the paper is thrown away, the cloth is washed.

If you use paper bags, discard them after using the loaf. Canvas bags for storing baked goods must be washed once a week after consuming their contents. Foil and polyethylene are also used once, and plastic containers or an opened enamel pan are treated with dishwashing detergent, after which they are rinsed well and wiped dry.

Bread can be called a unique product that people have baked since time immemorial. Thanks to technological progress, methods for preserving bread products are being improved, but you should not buy more bread than you can use. After all, even long-term storage in the refrigerator does not save the loaf from spoilage.

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Dates and varieties

How long can you keep it after purchase?

After production, bread products cannot be stored for more than 3 days .

When buying bread in a store, you should pay attention to the date of production.

Storage time should be calculated from the date indicated on the packaging.

With the right content, bread products can be preserved longer, but at the same time they lose their taste and beneficial properties. Therefore, after the expiration date, it is better not to eat them.

Read about the shelf life of different types of cheese according to GOST in our article.

What does this period depend on?

Shelf life depends on several factors:

1. Package. In an effort to delay expiration, manufacturers package the product in paper, polyethylene, or film. Indeed, this method preserves its quality much longer and the bread does not go stale. It also allows the consumer to guarantee compliance with hygienic rules of transportation and storage on the store shelf. But even in this form, the natural product should be used within a week.
2. Compound. Preservative substances, large concentrations, effectively increase the time of use - up to several months. The bread does not mold, but there is no need to talk about its benefits and naturalness. In addition, the yeast-free version lasts longer. Burgers spoil faster.
3. Type of flour. The ingredient that undergoes the least processing, that is, coarse grinding, retains freshness longer and does not allow mold to grow.
4. Conditions that do not meet the standards significantly shorten the shelf life. High humidity and temperature changes contribute to the growth of mold.
5. Production technology also matters. If sanitary rules are not followed, the starter is not aged, or the baking temperature is too high or too low, the result will be too wet or dry. The first option will reduce, the second will increase the preservation of presentation and consumer properties.

The American product Harrys has a record long shelf life. It can be stored for up to 2 months. This result is easily explained: plastic packaging protects it from exposure to ambient air, bacteria, and personnel touches.

It also contains potassium propianate and food grade alcohol, which prevent mold from growing. It is clear that the manufacturer sacrifices beneficial properties and natural ingredients to extend the sales time.

ADVICE! It is recommended to use products with a short shelf life, since their composition is natural and the benefits for the body are maximum.

Other varieties spoil much faster. This is explained by the settling and proliferation of moldy fungi. They are present in the surrounding air, on pieces of furniture, and dishes, so an unpackaged loaf will inevitably collide with them.

The crumb is fertile soil for life and reproduction of microorganisms. After just a few days it is already completely ruined.

“Second life” for bakery products

After several days of storage, the bread becomes stale. But you can breathe “second life” into it in simple ways.

To do this, follow these steps:

• the product is moistened with a small amount of water, after which it is placed in the oven for two minutes at a temperature of 45°C;
• the loaf is processed with sweet water mixed with a small amount of vanilla, after which the product is heated in the microwave;
• To soften the product, a water bath is used: water is poured into a large pan and brought to a boil, the loaf is placed in a colander located above the pan.

Attention! Despite the fact that you can breathe “second life” into bread, it is advisable for the digestive system to consume only fresh products.

"Reanimation" of stale bread

Stale baked goods can be used rather than thrown away. They make delicious dishes. For example, you can make crackers, for which the bread is cut into thin and long slices. They are additionally dried in a linen bag.

If the loaf has become stale, it is cut into small pieces, which are placed in a sieve. It is located above boiling water at a height of 2 cm, which allows you to make the product soft.

A stale loaf can be turned into a delicious casserole. The bread is cut into small cubes. Mix eggs with butter and pepper and beat with a mixer. The crackers are placed in the prepared form and filled with the mixture. The dishes are placed in the oven for 20 minutes.

Storage

There are several ways to maintain freshness for a long time.

Packaged

The bakery product packaged by the manufacturer or store should be placed in a fresh, dry bag to prevent the formation of mold. You need to make several holes to allow air to pass through.

A linen towel is also a great option. It will protect against dampness and mold spores in the air, while allowing you to breathe.

If you have a bread bin, you need to adhere to certain rules:

1. Wood is the best material, metal and ceramics are also suitable.
2. Must be ventilated.
3. It is not advisable to store black and white rolls together, it is better in different compartments or bags.

In a refrigerator

Refrigerator or freezer storage will also extend the shelf life. At a temperature of -18 °C the product can be stored for up to 3 months. However, each time it will have to be heated in the oven or microwave, the external and taste qualities will suffer. Repeated freezing and defrosting completely destroy the individual properties of the product.

Cold will slow down microbiological processes, which will extend the period of freshness. But you should know that you cannot put a product in the refrigerator that:

1. Already spoiled. Mold will instantly spread to other products. Moreover, this is pointless, since a damaged product cannot be used.
2. The packaging is completely sealed. The product becomes soggy and begins to deteriorate. It is necessary to make several holes for ventilation.
3. Just baked. Hot foods should not be placed on the refrigerator shelf: the compressor may break.

Why do products become moldy in the bread bin?

The conditions and shelf life of bread differ depending on the type of bakery product, but many people prefer to keep these products in a special bread bin. It is made of wood, plastic or other materials. In it, bread products can begin to mold for various reasons:

• the bread already contained mold spores, which appeared due to an incorrect preparation process or the use of low-quality raw materials, therefore, when they enter a favorable environment, the spores quickly spread;
• people often neglect proper care of the bread bin: crumbs from bread or loaves remain in it, which become moldy, so the disputes spread to new products;
• if mold appears too often, the room must be regularly ventilated, and the bread bin should be washed several times a week.

Attention! Sometimes people notice that only the products of one manufacturer become moldy, so it is advisable to simply refuse to purchase them.

What to do with expired bread

Expired bread usually means moldy or dried out bread. The first case has only one way out - recycling. The second is partial restoration of properties.

Can be softened if dry

If the loaf is dry and there is no mold on it, you can try to soften it, for example in the microwave. Under the influence of microwaves, the piece will become moist and soften. However, this state will not last very long: after a few minutes it will harden even more.

Can also be used as crackers. To do this, you will need to fry it in a frying pan or dry it until golden brown in the oven.

What to do if mold appears

IMPORTANT! Moldy must be disposed of; it is unacceptable to eat it.

You need to understand that mold spores cannot be killed by heat treatment, freezing, or drying. Substances that are formed when mold matures have a toxic effect on the human body. They can seriously poison and damage internal organs - lungs, liver, kidneys.

How to recognize a delay?

When buying bread in a store, you need to inspect its appearance.

It should not be dented or cracked .

It cannot have a black or green coating. It should have its own unique aroma, and not the smell of mold.

Mold primarily appears when:

• the bread was not stored correctly;
• it is not baked;
• it contains expired baked goods.

Some cut off the moldy crust and eat the bread. This is absolutely impossible to do. Why? Diseases associated with the respiratory and blood organs may occur.

If the bread contains an expired product, then when it is compressed, a slight smell of mold is felt. If you put pressure on the bread and it does not come back , then the loaf is not baked.

And it is also not healthy. When choosing a baguette, if you knock on it, the sound should be empty . In this case, it is normal for consumption.

You will also find recommendations for storing cottage cheese after purchase on our website.