To avoid moths or fungi, here is advice from a specialist for properly storing these dry foods!

Our kitchen cupboards are full of dry foods like flour, almond powder, rice or even sugar. Generally, since these products are not fresh, we tend to open them and keep them for a long time.

In reality, just like other foods, flour like rice needs to be well preserved. There are therefore some rules to follow in order not to take any health risks but also to avoid, for example, food moths. In the show the Health Magazinemicrobiologist hygienist Christophe Mercier shared his advice.

In order to better preserve dry foods, the specialist explains that many consumers choose to transfer foods into airtight jars. If at first glance this seems to be the ideal solution, however it is not: “this is not always a good idea because we oxidize the flour, for example, and therefore the more it oxidizes, the more we encourage the development of microscopic fungi.”

Christophe Mercier also talks about the container. It is important to choose it carefully, which is not always the case. It is important that it is airtight and clean. “If you transfer the product, this must be done in a “food approved” container with the logo noted on it.”

But that’s not all. The problem with putting food in a new container is that you lose the expiration date as well as the batch number. However, the latter proves useful in the event of a product recall, for example. It is therefore best to write down these two pieces of information on a label to remember them. Additionally, the expert also advises noting the date the package was opened. Contrary to what one might believe, dry foods do not keep indefinitely.

Indeed, oxygenation and contamination studies have shown that almond powder must be used 15 days after opening. It is essential to close the package tightly and keep it at room temperature.

For certain foods such as dried apricots, several factors come into play, such as the “organic” label. “For dried apricots, it all depends on whether they are organic or not. If they are not, then they contain sulphites so they will keep for as long as you want. Conversely, organic apricots do not contain any but they are full of water. So after opening them, we keep them for a maximum of 15 days and in the fridge”.

One of the main problems regarding the storage of dry foods remains food moths. “They can grow in flour, cereals (like rice or pasta) or dried fruits. Moths start as larvae which become small silver butterflies. They build threads between foods. If you notice the presence of threads similar to cobwebs between pieces of rice or between clumps of flour powder, the food is contaminated” explain our colleagues from Allo Docteurs.

However, it is not dangerous for health but it can contaminate all your cupboards by spreading.

If you find any in your kitchen, it is best to throw the contaminated products into a closed trash bag and check everything else.

To keep your dry food, opt for tongs to close the package correctly or airtight glass boxes. “food approved” with the logo noted above”. If your containers of flour or other foods are closed, you will have less chance of being contaminated by moths.

Also pay attention to the cleanliness of your cupboards and this should do the trick.