You can prevent moldy bread by keeping your bread stored in a cool, dry place if you plan to eat it within a few days. Otherwise, you should freeze your bread after wrapping it in plastic. Commercial breads typically contain additives that can discourage mold, while homemade breads may be more susceptible to spoilage due to a lack of preservative ingredients. In all cases, moldy bread should be discarded as soon as mold is spotted. Moldy bread can lead to health problems in some people.
Bread mold is not only unsightly, but it negatively affects the flavor of bread and can be unhealthy to eat. In fact, food experts typically advise throwing out an entire loaf or piece of bread if any mold is spotted on it, as it is possible for the mold to penetrate bread layers, causing contamination. Individuals who are concerned about preventing moldy bread need to be careful about protecting the freshness of the bread that they buy or make. Home bakers should be particularly careful with their homemade loaves, as these breads can go bad quickly.
When purchasing bread in a bakery or grocery store, it's a good idea to find out when the bread was made or to check the expiration date on the package. Fresh bread will last longer and likely taste better. Store your bread in the refrigerator if you plan to have it in your home for more than a few days. If you and your family don't consume a lot of bread, seal the bread up tightly in high-quality plastic wrap and put it in the freezer. Failing to seal the bread in plastic wrap can cause freezer burn, resulting in bread that is tasteless and that will typically have a very strange texture. It should be noted, however, that freezer burn is not itself dangerous to humans; it simply ruins the quality of food.
Check to see if the bread contains a preservative such as calcium propionate, as these preservatives can significantly retard the growth of mold. If the bread does not contain mold-retarding additives, either freeze any surplus bread soon after making a purchase or buy only as much bread as you and your family can consume within a few days. Similarly, if you make bread at home, make enough for only your immediate needs or plan to freeze your bread soon after it has cooled completely and has been wrapped in plastic.