The Costco Bakery Items That Are Frequently Returned To Stores - Tasting Table

"Most products at Costco are sold in multipacks. Unfortunately, with food items that have a shorter shelf life, such as bread, this means that if you aren't going to consume everything within a few days, you'll need to freeze it. In fact, the Costco bakery items most frequently returned to stores are bread and bagels, often because they have gone moldy quickly."

"Thankfully, because of Costco's liberal return policy, members who buy a 12-pack of bagels or multiple loaves of bread and find that they have gone moldy before they can use them are able to return them to the warehouse for a full refund. However, many have taken to Reddit and other social media sites to complain about the problem. One Redditor complained about moldy Kirkland bagels and ciabatta bread, adding that,"

Most products at Costco are sold in multipacks, so perishable items like bread must be used quickly or frozen to avoid spoilage. Bread and bagels are among the bakery items most frequently returned because they often go moldy before use. Bulk purchases increase the risk of not consuming items in time, and warm, humid conditions accelerate mold growth. Costco's liberal return policy allows members to get full refunds for moldy bagels or loaves. Baked goods often lack preservatives, so many members pre-cut and freeze portions they won’t eat within two days. Proper storage is in the original plastic bag in a pantry away from sunlight, heat, and moisture.

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