How long does bread last?
In the fridge, bread keeps for 2 to 3 months from purchase. In the pantry, it keeps for 3 to 5 days from purchase.
3 to 5 days
from purchase
2 to 3 months
from purchase
No guideline
Does bread go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, bread may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell bread has gone bad
- Mould on bread means the whole loaf goes out. Bread is porous, so mould threads run well below the spot you can see, and cutting the spot off does not remove them.
- The same rule covers rolls, bagels, cakes and muffins. USDA lists bread and baked goods with the foods that cannot be trimmed.
- Do not sniff mouldy bread. USDA warns that breathing in mould spores can cause respiratory trouble.
- Homemade bread has no preservatives and USDA gives it 3 to 5 days at room temperature. Dry, stale bread with no mould is a quality issue, not a safety one; freeze what you will not eat in time.
Sources: Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous? (USDA FSIS). The times on this page are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other baked goods: bakery last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.