Chips are the ultimate convenient savory snack that almost everyone loves. Who can resist their crisp crunchiness and savory flavors?
Many people keep a stash of them at home for movie nights, for when friends come over, or for just munching on when the urge hits.
This raises the question, ‘Can chips get moldy?’ You may be wondering how long you can safely store your chips. Read on and we’ll answer the question for you.
Can Chips Get Moldy?
We’ll talk first about potato chips. As long as the chip packets are sealed and unopened, they will remain fresh and crispy for a couple of years. Of course, like any other food, they are marked with an expiry date for safety purposes.
However, eating them after this date won’t make you sick because crisps are flavored with a lot of salt and packaged with preservatives.
They may become hard in their sealed packet but they won’t develop mold. Still, it is best to store the unopened packets in a cool, dark place to prevent the deterioration of the product.
On the other hand, if the chip packet has been opened, air and dampness can get in and after a while, the chips will become soft and may even develop mold.
To extend the shelf life of an opened packet of crisps, put the bag into a Ziploc bag, squeeze as much air out as possible, and seal the bag. Store it as before in a dark, dry place.
To reiterate – mold won’t grow when the chip packs are sealed and airtight. This is because mold needs oxygen and moisture to grow and thrive.
If you are using a pre-opened bag of chips, remember to check for spoilage such as softening or mold as they won’t taste good if they are spoiled and they may even make you sick. This is a very unlikely scenario though.
Whenever you purchase tortilla chips from the grocery store, there is a high chance that you will be consuming them right away or shortly.
However, because these are not as popular as potato chips, the store may have old stock so always check the package expiry date.
This type of chips is more likely to develop mold if old or opened because they are made with less salt than potato chips. Check for any discoloration or unpleasant smells.
If you find any, discard the box or bag. Once tortilla chips have been opened, keep them in an airtight container and consume them within a week.
Crackers
Crackers need to be properly stored in a cool, dry, airtight container like other food items. Crackers tend to become stale fairly quickly once opened and may soften and develop mold if not correctly stored.
If your crackers are soft but not moldy, you can restore their crispness by spreading them out in a single layer on an oven tray and baking them at very low heat for about half an hour.
How Do Chips Develop Mold?
If you are wondering about the reasons and mechanism of mold buildup, it is essential to know that various factors can contribute to mold development.
Mold only grows in damp conditions and it prefers the dark. Spores from the air or the food being handled get onto the surface and begin to grow.
To Conclude
We hope we have managed to set your mind at rest about mold on your chips. Potato chips will not develop mold easily, due to the way they are packaged, their high salt content, and the preservatives used in their manufacture.