Bread is the third largest contributor in the $360B CPG industry.
It’s an incredibly popular product among consumers, but has a very limited shelf life. So how do CPG companies navigate this? How do companies sell a product that lasts for mere days?
Keep reading to discover the stages of bread freshness and how to prolong shelf life.
There are four stages of bread freshness. A loaf of bread is generally good for about a week and progresses through the stages quickly.
Consumers and businesses alike assess bread to determine freshness.
But, it’s not always as easy as it seems. No one can taste bread that is already packaged, so they must rely on other methods.
Grocery store associates do place the least fresh bread in the front of the shelves. But companies also use the color of the twist ties to communicate the freshness of bread. This makes it even easier to decode and choose the best option. The color of the tie tells you which day of the week the bread was made on, so you can determine freshness.
Most stores only get bread deliveries 5 days a week so Wednesday and Sunday do not have colors.
Customers determine the freshness of bread based on how good it tastes. Some people do keep up with when they bought it and are organized. The rest of the population determines if the level of freshness depending on how it tastes.
Or if there’s mold on it… most people figure it’s stale at that point.
Several factors affect how long bread lives. Bread stored on top of a fridge in an open container will dry out and become hard much faster than bread sealed in a bread box on the counter. Other factors include:
Did you know store-bought bread lasts longer than homemade?
Only by a few days, but it does last longer. Both types of bread can are good for 3 months in the freezer.
White, multi-grain, and whole-grain breads last 5-7 days. Homemade bread lasts 4-5 days.
How you store bread is important.
If you have it on the counter or in the pantry, it should be placed in paper or a tightly sealed container. When freezing bread, it should be in the original, unopened packaging or freezer bags with all the air pushed out.
Most people store bread at home on the counter, on the fridge, or in the fridge. On the fridge is a definite not. However, on the counter, in the cabinet, or in the fridge are all possible solutions if you have the right packaging. Bread must be sealed tightly if placed in the fridge or it will dry out quickly.
The best climate for bread to remain fresh is room temperature away from direct sunlight or heat. This means no appliances or windows in the area where the bread is kept.
Bread should be stored differently depending on the person or company. Customers store bread a little differently than CPG Brands, as you can read about below.
Companies must keep bread as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Think of how much bread product is thrown out due to expiration dates! Here are 10 tips on keeping it fresher for longer:
Customers have several options to store bread to make it last longer. With the right storing strategy, customers can make sure your bread lasts longer without mold, moisture, or hard crust. The best ways to preserve bread include:
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