This is a frustration post:
When you have contacted a company and heard nothing back. When you ask them directly on Twitter for an answer. And radio silence. When others tell you they have the same issue. It’s when I start whining.
The real problem is there isn’t many choices for a gluten free bread that is also allergen safe, especially for children. And one that looks and tastes pretty close to wheat bread (anything so a 5-year-old doesn’t stick out even more at school). So you tend to stick to a brand, no matter how many times you get burned. You just have few other choices!
This year our youngest son, Alistaire, was tested again and his egg allergy has cleared up. It’s one of the few food allergies children can grow out of. So we were excited, as it meant he could have Franz Gluten Free Bread, especially the Mountain White.
However, we learned some painful (and expensive) lessons quickly. Their website claims that the bread “Because of our special stay fresh packaging, once you open your Franz Gluten Free bread, it stays fresh and delicious for five to seven days without refrigeration“. Well……
At first I stored the bread loaf in the bag it came in. We’d be 3 days into a loaf and it was moldy in the center. Then I changed to zip lock bags (nothing like not being green with that!) and made sure I marked the date on the bag, once opened. Our house sits at no more than 70*, and we don’t live in a humid area. The claims said it should be fine for at least 5 days. But it wasn’t happening.
So I talked to others, and found everyone had the same issue. They all said one thing “You have to refrigerate it”. I tried it in the bag it came in. Mold by day 3. But if in a zip lock bag….I finally got 5 to 7 days. At $7.19 a loaf at Safeway, I might as well have been burning money at the Lotto counter.
So I thought….Costco sells the seeded variety, in 2 loaf bags. I’ll save money!
Does Costco have a Lotto counter to burn money at instead? Because EVERY bag we bought had one loaf go moldy before EVEN OPENING IT. With weeks, if not months, to the expiration dates. Costco isn’t an easy trip for me, so going back just wasn’t happening.
I contacted Franz Bakery using their contact form. And nothing. I have never heard back. Weeks have gone by. I went to Twitter, multiple times. No reach out. Considering how much money we have donated to our compost bins on Lahar Valley Farm, it is frustrating. I’d quit buying it if there were other options.
I’d love to know WHY the bread molds in the bags before opening (but only the Costco loaves) and why it molds if you follow the companies directions.
Because also, just answering a contact form might have made me less annoyed.
~Sarah
Sarah, Unfortunately you are best off freezing this product within the first day or two you have it at home. I have a ton more information and expertise on this. If you would like to send me an e-mail with questions, I’d be happy to answer them.
You usually have to freeze gluten free breads, it works better even though eventually it has to thaw. If you buy mutiple bags of bread, put them in the freezer untill you need them.
FWIW, I’ve bought it already moldy (couldn’t see it through the bag but noticed when I brought it home and opened it up) in one loaf bags at Fred Myer and Safeway. I think part of the issue is their packaging method. I’ve noticed condensation on the inside of the inner bag of nearly every loaf I’ve bought.
They pack it with moisture (presumably on accident – maybe the bread is hot when they put it in?) and that destines it for ruin.
I have had it!!!!! I am enraged at this point! You cannot see through the packaging…I have purchased 4 loaves of bread…every single one of them was molded upon opening of the package! I purchased a loaf of bread on 2/11/2021…expiration on package says 3/28/2021…it was covered in green mold!!! Disgusting! There are so few options out there as everyone knows for gluten free bread…this is just crazy! Enough is enough!
Thank you for reaching out about Franz Gluten Free Mountain White Bread and I’m sorry there was an issue with this product. The modified atmosphere packaging that we use is designed to extend the shelf life to the ‘Best By’ date on the product when the product remains sealed. When still sealed, the product does not require refrigeration or freezing and has a shelf life of 60 days. Oxygen is pumped out of the bag prior to sealing and replaced with carbon dioxide. At the same time, there is a small (*less than 2%) ‘failure’ rate with this type of packaging and if it has even the smallest of holes, oxygen will replace the carbon dioxide in the package and mold will develop. Even something as small as a pinpoint hole can allow the carbon dioxide to leak out and be replaced with oxygen.
Once opened, we do recommend that you freeze the product or at least keep it in an airtight container (like Tupperware or a zip top bag with the air squeezed out) to prevent mold formation since these products have no preservatives and will mold quite quickly. For extended storage, my personal recommendation is that once you open the package, pack one or two slices in a zip top sandwich bag and freeze them. This will make the product easier to thaw and preserves the quality. This is especially true when the weather is warm or in a warm house that can make the product mold in a day or two. The alternative would be for us to add chemical preservatives which we hesitate to do.
I am advising the bakery manager to review the bakery standards for this bread. Their review will include pulling samples from the production line and scoring them on a number of criteria including the integrity of the seal, and a shelf life test. This should help ensure that the products are being made to bakery specifications.
We want to keep you as a Franz customer! Please reply with your full name and physical mailing address and I will have the gluten free bakery send you replacement product.
Thank you for your concern and understanding.
Just checked the 2nd unopened loaf with an expiration date of 5/23/2021. It’s 5/12 now and the loaf is covered with green mold! We’ve had several mold issues with Franz 7-grain this year, all in date, with unopened bags. Bought it at Costco. This is an ongoing problem, and it’s an over 50% failure rate for us.
Yes, I have had MULTIPLE loaves this year moldy. I have given up buying Franz now. We now buy Schar rolls, pricey, but never moldy!
~Sarah
Same. Has nothing to do with how you store it. I bought Franz hot dog buns to eat that very day. I took a bite and there was a ball of mold almost the size of a golf ball. We have tried freezing it…opened the bag…bread was green. After four purchases with same results, I give up. I am extremely allergic to mold and fungus. I have to get allergy shots for fungus and yeast. Anyway…long story short…won’t be buying it anymore, and certainly won’t be recommending it to anyone.
Same issue for me. Lately most loafs are moldy right when I open. Bought from Costco or Safeway. It really sucks because it is expensive but also best tasting gluten free bread.