Have you ever gone to grab something from the fridge or pantry to find mold taking over? Not only is it gross, but have you ever stopped and wondered – Is this coming from my home, or was the produce already pre-inoculated before I even brought in groceries?
It’s a common problem plaguing households with high “Mold Loads.” The answer may not be so simple – for starters, there are many factors at play, like what happens on farms when harvest season starts, all the way up until packaging plants review fruit, veggies, and bread before hitting retail shelves. Rules of thumb suggest if more than 10% of products show signs of bacteria/mold during an inspection by the store receiving manager, then stores won’t accept them!
Apples, for instance – if stored in the refrigerator, should remain edible for up to 4–6 weeks and 5–7 days on the countertop – but if your home’s mold load is exceptionally high, this timeline may drastically shorten.
Moldy food can be an unfortunate reality of indoor living. But you can fight back! As a homeowner, there are several steps you can take to help prevent premature spoilage: reducing humidity levels and keeping surfaces clean, with regular disinfecting being among them!
1 – To ensure the highest level of freshness and food safety, Health.com recommends washing all produce before consuming it. Rinsing away dirt, bacteria and pesticides helps to remove unsavory residues that can interfere with taste or texture as well as potentially dangerous pathogens like E. coli, salmonella, and norovirus, which can cause foodborne illness if not properly washed off first!
2 – To ensure your fruits and veggies last longer, dry them thoroughly to discourage any unwanted moldy visitors.
3 – Stay informed of best-by dates to get the most out of your deli meats and cheeses! As soon as you return home from grocery shopping, be sure to put items in the refrigerator straight away for optimal freshness.
4 – For mold-free bread, keep it fresh and dry! It’s easy to ensure your store-bought loaf remains in good condition by keeping the original packaging intact. Stopping moisture build-up will help control unwanted growth without having to worry about spoiling quickly.
If you’re noticing food going bad too fast, it could be a sign that your home has an “elevated mold load.” This includes the presence of spores and mycotoxins associated with harmful mold. If foods like fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, or bread deteriorate quickly in your house, chances are indoor air quality is negatively impacting your well-being.
Fortunately, Pure Maintenance of Texas is here to provide help! We offer professional services designed to tackle this very issue – from testing for contaminants in the home or office to complete disinfection with an EPA-approved anti-microbial solution using our patented dry fog technology.
Ready to take control over your AIR QUALITY? Contact us today for more details on how we can keep perishables fresher longer!