why does bread have such a short shelf life?

[Cheeseandlobster]

I get mine from Aldi - the seeded loaf. The dates are only 2 or 3 days yet the bread is fresh and edible for at least a week sometimes longer. I have had to make a real effort to educate dp that dates are not set in stone. But I bet there are lots of people who just bin it once it reaches the magic date. Why do shops do this?

So that you chuck it out and buy more.
Its absolutely ridiculous .

Is it a best before or use by date?

Keep it in the fridge, it lasts for ages

It’s at its best on the day of purchase. After 4 days or so it’s still perfectly good but just not as delicious to eat IMO. (Obvs we eat it anyway!)

I get a multigrain seeded loaf from Tesco because I like it but also because it’s still good a week after purchase - I mostly have it for toast anyway but it’s never mouldy or even stale. It can be days and days after the date on the packet. And I HATE seeing mould on bread so I always inspect it carefully!

I never look at dates on anything.
Mind you, we get through stuff promptly

It's a best before date, not a use by date. But there is a practical reason as well. Mycotoxins in bread that has gone off can be dangerous, or can make you very sick. Manufacturers tend to prefer not to get sued for making people sick, etc., so that "best before" date helps to protect them - if you eat it after that date, you are less likely to be able to sue successfully because they've advised you it would be better to eat it before that date.

I can't get through bread quickly as I am on my own, so I freeze mine and just take out a slice or two as needed. Frozen bread stays fresh for 3 - 6 months.

I don't bin bread until it goes hard or green.

@Moondust001

It's a best before date, not a use by date. But there is a practical reason as well. Mycotoxins in bread that has gone off can be dangerous, or can make you very sick. Manufacturers tend to prefer not to get sued for making people sick, etc., so that "best before" date helps to protect them - if you eat it after that date, you are less likely to be able to sue successfully because they've advised you it would be better to eat it before that date.

I can't get through bread quickly as I am on my own, so I freeze mine and just take out a slice or two as needed. Frozen bread stays fresh for 3 - 6 months.

I didnt know this. How would you recognise Mycotoxins? Is there a smell or appearance?

Ours never lasts, often turns before the use by date. Ours goes loudly or smells like acetone without visible mould long before it goes stale.

keep it somewhere cool, preferably in a paper bag, tightly twisted/folded over and it will last longer.

Put it in the fridge, it lasts a lot longer.

This it's quite difficult in lockdown I've been finding... Are there any brands that last a week?

I usually look for loaves dated at least 4 or 5 days in the future. Currently have a Tesco super seeded one