Does corn meal go bad?

[cbayer]

I was going to make some corn bread last night.

I had an unopened box of corn meal that I had put in a zip lock bag because of moisture concerns.

Ok, it's been there a while (I don't know how long for sure).

When I brought it out, I noticed some blackish powder in the bottom of the bag - quite a bit actually, but no holes in the box or the inner bad or anything.

Note that we do not have rodents or insects (other than the occasional wasp or kelp fly) at all.

So the cornmeal in the inner bag looked ok, except for some blackish areas at the very bottom.

No expiration date on the box.

Chose not to use until I got some feedback from you guys.

[hlthe2b]

1. sounds like mold to me

Corn, grain and all meal products can grow mold. More serious is the potential growth of aflatoxin--a potent liver toxin and carcinogen.

So, I'd toss it.

See a recent NYT article on aflatoxin issues.
http://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/02/us/cancer-causing-mold-on-corn-raises-alarm-over-food-supply.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

[cbayer]

3. Thanks so much for this.

I came very close to using it and am glad I did not.

[hlthe2b]

4. I have taken to buying airtight containers and putting all my grains in the refrigerator...

Especially whole wheat flour that goes bad fairly quickly in warmer weather. Just be sure to measure out and let come to room temperature before using, whether it is cornmeal, flour, gluten, or any other meal.

[cbayer]

5. I don't have enough refrigerator space to do this.

I have never had a problem before. I generally keep my flours and grains in zip lock bags.

I think what I need to do is put some dri-rid in the pantry compartment.

[Purveyor]

2. Throw it out! eom

[Warpy]

6. Ziplock bags are good but they're not airtight

and what you most likely have in that cornmeal is mold. I wouldn't want to use it. Cornmeal is cheap, you can get more.

Whole cornmeal can also go rancid, but most of the stuff in supermarkets is degerminated and less likely to.

Also, insect eggs can ride home in health food store and supermarket goods.

But I'll bet the rent yours is just moldy.

[cbayer]

7. Throwing it away and will invest in some airtight containers next time I am *over town*.

Glad I didn't use it.

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. it does if it hangs around with the wrong crowd

[blaze]

10. .

You totally cracked me up... I am easily amused.

[NRaleighLiberal]

11. I just love bad puns!

thanks for politely laughing at my awful joke! I bet cbayer won't lower herself to even notice!

[cbayer]

12. Is someone talking here? Do they have a strong, nasally, east coast voice?

[NRaleighLiberal]

13. what? you mean I didn't lose my New Englandese after all of my moves around the US?

[GoCubsGo]

9. Yes.

On top of what everyone else has been saying, corn meal can also become rancid. It is like whole wheat flour in that it still has enough oil/fat in it that it goes bad over time. If you aren't going to use it right away, freeze it.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. I've never had that happen and I wouldn't use it.

I also store mine in a zip lock bag, but I keep it in the freezer. I have a bag at my work kitchen that I've been using on for over 3 years and it still looks, smells and tastes fresh.