White Stuff on Bread Mold or Flour?

Last Updated on November 2, 2022 by Claire

White stuff on bread mold or flour? After a day or two, you may discover white stuff on your bread when you reach out to make a bread sandwich. Knowing that some bakeries do add flour over bread, may leave you confused about what the white stuff is.

Bread mold is hazardous to your health. According to Healthline, Eating moldy bread could make you sick, and inhaling spores may trigger breathing problems if you have a mold allergy. It is therefore important to learn how to differentiate between bread mold and flour before eating such bread. Thankfully, there are several ways to do so.

Keep on reading to learn about why there is white stuff on your bread, how to tell bread mold and flour apart, the health implications of eating bread with molds, and other related issues.

White stuff on bread mold or flour?

White stuff your bread that is noticed from day one of purchasing the bread is most likely flour applied by the baker. Most bakeries do this to differentiate the different types of bread. 

As for bread molds, these appear on the bread after several names and signify spoilage. The storage condition of the bread determines how soon the white stuff appears in the bread. 

Generally, most bread can only last for 1 or 2 days before developing bread mold when stored at room temperature. Refrigeration can extend this time to about 4 to 5 days. When stored in a freezer while wrapped in a plastic bag, bread can last for as long as 3 months.

The lifespan of bread is extended by storing bread in the bread box, preservatives, freezing, and also by recordation.

Bread mold is caused by the storage of bread in a warm moist environment. The natural moisture in bread is soon turned into a cultural ground for the growth of mold. Wrapping the bread in an airtight bag, therefore, extends its lifespan.

Can bread mold look like flour?

Bread molds are generally thought to be greenish. However, bread mold can also appear whitish. This gives it a similar appearance to bread flour. Bread mold however usually starts as a small white spot. Over time, the spot will grow larger and undergo a color change with green and blue hues.

The fungus is of different species and can appear green, gray, yellow, or white. It increases in size and soon spreads all over the bread. 

Bread mold has an unpleasant musty smell not observed with fresh bread.

Not all bread is dusted with flour. Bakeries who still dust their bread with flour do this for aesthetics, to keep the bread from sticking to each other, or to differentiate the different types of bread loaves.

How to differentiate bread mold from flour

There are several ways to tell bread mold and flour apart. This is because bread mold is a sign of spoilage. Therefore, the presence of other signs of spoilage helps confirm it. When you are unsure what the white stuff on your bread is, carry out thorough scrutiny by inspecting the color, texture, smell, and other properties of the white stuff.

1. Color inspection

One of the easiest ways to differentiate between bread mold and flour is by careful inspection of their color. If the white stuff on your bread is bread mold, the color will appear dull and not the bright white color of flour. Additionally, after a few days, bread mold will begin to develop a greenish hue and gradually change color as the mold grows. 

Aside from the dull white color, bread molds usually have a fuzzy texture. The color and texture of the white stuff may not be enough to differentiate between bread mold and flour. 

Always pay attention to the appearance of the bread on the first day. If the bread does not contain any white stuff on the day of the purchase, the appearance of white stuff on the bread, later on, suggests bread mold.

The inspection should be done in a well-lit area of the kitchen, preferably under natural light.

The location of the white stuff can alps give a hint about whether it is a bread mold or flour. While bread mold can be found all over the bread, flour is seen mostly on the top of the bread and sometimes on the side. 

2. Scratch off the white stuff

Bread mold differs from flour in how the two scrapes off the surface of the bread. When bread mold is scraped with a knife or finger, it feels stuck to the bread and does not come off easily. This is in contrast to flour which comes off easily in a powdery form. You can take this opportunity to feel the fine texture of the powdery flour.

3. Smell the bread

An additional sign of spoilage development of a musty smell. When the bread begins to form mold, it signifies spoilage and causes the bread to develop a musty smell as opposed to the neutral smell of flour.

Attempting to smell bread mold directly with the nose over the bread is discouraged. Spores from the mold could get inhaled, leading to respiratory symptoms, especially in persons with an underlying condition such as asthma or chronic obstructive airway disorder.

Therefore, you should only smell the bread from a distance by passing your hands over it to direct air toward your nose.

Can I eat bread with white mold?

You can only eat bread with white stuff if this has been confirmed to be flour and not bread mold. Bread mold has been noted to cause upset in the gastrointestinal tract when consumed. This leads to symptoms such as nausea and vomiting as well as headache.

Bread mold may also trigger respiratory symptoms in asthmatics and others with similar respiratory disease conditions.

When you notice bread mold, such bread is unfit for consumption and should be discarded immediately. Cutting off the mold does not make the bread fit for consumption as the entire bread is already contaminated.

Final words

Bread mold is a fungus with a considerable health risk. It can be differentiated from flour based on its appearance, odor, and other similar features mentioned here.